SAP launch crime prevention campaign

Tzaneen Police Cluster in partnership with the Department of Education launched a school linkages project at Mokwakwaila Sports Ground on Friday.

The aim of the launch is to prevent criminal activities at schools. This is part of their school safety campaign. Every school will be allocated a police officer, who will work hand in hand with the school management to combat crime in schools.

Tzaneen Cluster Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson, Uwe Kroh said drug abuse and theft is becoming problematic in schools, hence the linkage. ‘Communities need to work with school governing bodies and parents to implement safety policies,’ he said.

He also thanked all participants in the program.

SAPS provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola gave the keynote address. In his speech he advised parents to discipline their children when they are not at school in order to have a crime free community.

Lt Gen. said every school will be allocated a police officer, who will not take the role of a security guard but be in the school’s safety committee.

‘There will be a school search at some point, principals do not need to alert the learners about the search,’ he said. He further added that their aim is to stop learners from taking weapons and substances to school. The Executive Mayor of Mopani District, Cllr Nkakareng Rakgoale said parents need to be their children’s role models and not act violently in front of them.

She also said Mopani District Municipality support the initiative. She said: ‘We wholeheartedly commend SAPS for coming up with this program. Let’s not support criminals.’ She concluded by saying that people need to respect CPF and work together with police officers. Members of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) Brass Band entertained the audience throughout the event.

Community members were given a chance to state their grievances and most of them asked for more police vans to be allocated to them. ‘When we report matters we are always told that they are still waiting for a van, because they don’t have enough vehicles,’ said one concerned community member.

Other community members said their children do not have sports grounds. Mayor of the Greater Letaba Municipality, Cllr City Modjadji said all grievances were noted and that they will do everything in their power to deliver. The Tzaneen Cluster consists of seven police stations: Tzaneen, Bolobedu, Modjadjiskloof, Haenertsburg, Ritavi, Maake and Letsitele.