Members of the police in Wedela visited a school in town to ensure that safety prevails this week.

According to Wedela’s social crime prevention officer, Sergeant Zikhona Sifuba, they reached out to Wedela Technical High School on April 9. Members of the police in Wedela, the police in Fochville’s crime prevention sections, as well as members of the Youth Desk, community patrollers, and community safety, arrived at the school as part of Operation Shanela.

The group stood at the school gates and searched every learner who came in, looking for anything illegal. According to Sergeant Sifuba, such action is justified and much needed, although it might seem harsh.

“Children these days carry dangerous weapons when they go to school. Our schools are no longer a happy place. Teachers are now afraid of our children because once you reprimand that child, you become a target. And they are no longer keen to learn. What they do now is fight and do drugs at school. Schools used to be fun, peaceful, and joyful places, but not anymore. Now, teachers and students live in fear in schoolyards. We give school talks and school searches. But we can’t do this alone. We need parents and the community to help us,” says Sifuba.

The group searched 673 learners.