Gangsterism is rife in Limpopo schools, judging by the pleas of parents during an anti-gangsterism dialog in Polokwane last week. The social development department warned parents to be on the lookout for early warning signs as gangs recruit members from as young a primary school while two foreign nationals were recently arrested for selling drugs to school children.

A mother from Westernburg told of how she lives in fear because her son (23), who has gang-affiliated tattoos, stores drugs in their home, sometimes comes home injured and has threatened to stab her.

She pleaded with the Department of Social Development for intervention during an anti-gangsterism interactive dialogue in Ladanna last Friday. Her plea was one of many similar ones coming from parents whose children were involved in gangsterism at school.

Multiple parents from Mankweng, Seshego, Westernburg and Polokwane faced similar situations.

National manager at the Social Crime Prevention Unit, Linda Makhathini said children are recruited from as early as primary school by friends and soon find them themselves in the world of crime from where some of them go on to join gangs.

“Our previous recordings show that children carry weaponry objects, to protect themselves against bullies in schools. Gangs often also get children into the habit of carrying weapons for protection. It is easier for children to get introduced to drug lords and bigger gangs when they are grouped in this nature,” she says.

Makhathini advises that parents be on the lookout for any suspicious signs or objects when searching their children’s bags, pockets and books for as they could form part of gangs’ recruitment strategies at a later stage.

“Sometimes, they write signs that would not make sense to you as a parent, but that are representative of small groups in school, which are connected to bigger and more dangerous gangs,” she added.

The department advised parents to be strict in instilling moral values, especially during the developmental stages between 0-6 years.

“Teach them about taking losses, resisting temptation, saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. They look like small lessons, but they help them to overcome peer pressure.”

The dialogue in Polokwane took place just days after two foreign nationals were arrested by local police for selling drugs to learners near the Flora Park dam.

Ude Chinedu (41) aand Thomas Papiki Nthobeng (44) were both remanded in custody and later appeared before two separate courts for bail applications on February 28.

Anyone who would like to report a social ill, is requested to call the crime stop number on 08600 10111 and request to be redirected to a social, safety or security department dealing with their individual issue.