Six people arrested for selling drugs to learners in Masoyi
The search and seizures are part of government efforts to keep schools safe at all times.
Six people were arrested on June 3 and 4 by Masoyi police for allegedly selling drugs to learners in schools around the Masoyi area.
The suspects were arrested during an operation by multi-sectoral stakeholders that included the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL) and the Department of Education, who conducted a School Safety Programme.
According to the DCSSL spokesperson, Moeti Mmusi, the two-day programme was conducted at six schools in the Masoyi policing precinct.
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The initiative was also supported by the Department of Correctional Services, the Department of Social Development, the SAPS and the City of Mbombela.
“Six identified schools were visited, and several learners were found in possession of narcotics. Upon interrogation by the police, they pointed out the people outside the schools who were allegedly supplying them with the drugs.”
The multidisciplinary teams also found unwanted objects such as knives and other sharp objects on the schools’ premises.
Mmusi said the search and seizures are part of efforts to create safer school environments for effective learning and teaching. The programme is part of the Integrated School Safety Strategy and it is implemented across the three regions of the province.
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“The proliferation of drugs in schools needs to be tackled because once learners are intoxicated, they are dangerous to themselves, their fellow learners, and educators. It is in this regard that parents and guardians are called upon to ensure that they observe the conduct of their children so that they are able to detect any untoward behaviour and seek help before things get out of hand,” Mmusi said.
He added that the influence of criminals or gangs on learning remains a challenge.
Government will continue to work with various stakeholders to enhance effective learning and teaching without any interference from criminals outside the school.
Communities must also report any suspicious activities or people to the police.
