Crystal Park SAPS is appealing to parents to speak to their children about the dangers of violence after noticing an alarming increase in fights among learners in local schools.

According to Crystal Park SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Lerato Mopeli, more than five assault cases involving schoolchildren have been registered in the past few weeks within the precinct.

“The cases involve both boys and girls from various high schools. Sometimes learners fight among themselves within the same school, and in other instances clashes break out between learners from different schools,” said Mopeli.

She added that most fights are over minor issues.

“When we interrogate them to find out what led to such altercations, we often discover that the reasons are petty, and sometimes they can’t even explain why they’re fighting. The situation is now getting out of control, hence our appeal to parents to talk to their children and discourage them from being part of fights or gangs,” Mopeli said.

Through its ongoing school outreach programme, SAPS continues to visit schools to promote a safer, more secure and respectful learning environment by addressing issues such as bullying, GBV and substance abuse.

“We encourage learners that when someone provokes them, they should not retaliate but rather report the matter to teachers, parents or even the police,” Mopeli added.

The warning from Crystal Park SAPS comes amid a broader national concern about escalating violence in schools.

Last month, violent clashes broke out between pupils from West Ridge High School and Hoërskool Roodepoort in Gauteng. A group of West Ridge learners, allegedly seeking revenge, went to Hoërskool Roodepoort where they attacked learners and pelted cars with stones. The principal of Hoërskool Roodepoort was stabbed while trying to defuse tensions, and three learners sustained serious injuries.

In response to rising incidents of school-related violence, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu launched the Safe Schools Protocol in June. The initiative aims to strengthen collaboration between the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and SAPS to combat violence, bullying and cybercrime in schools through a coordinated approach.

“This is a public demonstration of our shared commitment to ensuring that South African children learn in safe, protected and dignified environments,” Gwarube said at the launch.

She noted that schools, which should be spaces of safety and hope, have increasingly become sites of trauma and violence.

“The recent data from SAPS paints a grave picture. In the 2023/24 financial year, 28 murders and 234 rapes occurred in primary schools, and two-thirds of these incidents involved learner-to-learner assaults. In addition, over 1 100 burglaries were reported, with stolen items ranging from teaching materials to kitchen equipment,” Gwarube added.

Crystal Park SAPS urges communities, educators and parents to work together to restore discipline and safety in schools.

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