LEARNERS from high schools under the Pinetown SAPS policing jurisdiction were discouraged from leading a life of crime during a Safer South Africa Foundation event held at the Wyebank Community Hall on Friday.

Speakers from different stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies and FNB, encouraged pupils from Wyebank and Eric Mtshali secondary schools to rather focus on their studies to build a better future for themselves.

Colonel Boysie Zungu from the Metro Police gave advice on the dos and don’ts of life outside of high school and cautioned about how a criminal record can adversely impact a young person’s future prospects.

@caxtonlocalmedia High schoolers in Wyebank got a real talk from police, FNB & Correctional Services on crime, money, and making smart moves. From the dangers of gangs to the power of financial literacy, this was more than just a school day. #caxtondurban #HighwayMail #YouthEmpowerment #StayInSchool #NoToCrime #FinancialFreedom ♬ original sound – caxtonlocalmedia

Zungu encouraged the high schoolers to work towards achieving academic excellence and striving to lead a life characterised by good morals.

The regional manager of educational programmes at FNB, Senzo Myeni, said it was important to note that financial literacy is as crucial as the other learning outcomes.

Continuing on the importance of financial literacy, Myeni said this can help people learn to make better use of the little that they have in order to stretch it effectively.

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Myeni said it was important to be aware that unemployment does contribute to people committing crime, but said that this was not an excuse because education is still a more viable option.

“Let us not make our background an excuse to commit crime,” advised Myeni.

Colonel Dube from Correctional Services sought to dispel the misconception among learners that young people cannot be arrested, because there are youth centres such as the one in Westville and another in Newcastle.

Noting this, said Dube, was important so that young people do not gullibly agree to partake in criminal activity under that false notion.

Dube also spoke to the pupils about the numbers gangs in prison and how these are no child’s play and should serve as a deterrent for them turning to a life of crime.

Addressing teachers, Dube encouraged schools to plan more trips for pupils to visit prisons, not to scare them but to capacitate them so that they can take the right decisions.

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