KZN police have raised alarm over the rise of gang activity in schools, warning that classrooms are becoming ‘breeding grounds’ for hardened criminals as gang leaders recruit young boys into their ranks.

In an exclusive interview with The Witness, provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said authorities are increasingly arresting teenagers for violent crimes.

“A worrying factor in our province, uMgungundlovu included, is that we are arresting young people as young as 14 for serious and gun-related crimes — murders, shooting at police and killing other young people.”

The warning comes after a matric learner was stabbed multiple times outside a Northdale school last Monday, in the latest outbreak of school-related violence in Pietermaritzburg’s northern areas.

Northdale stabbing sparks concern

Parents and officials believe the clashes are linked to rival gangs that include school learners.

Emergency responders from Mi7 National Group rushed to the scene, stabilising the injured learner with advanced life support before transferring him to hospital.

According to Mi7 director Colin David, the victim and a friend had been waiting for scholar transport when a group of learners from a rival school emerged from a parked vehicle and attacked.

“While the friend escaped, the matric learner was beaten with sticks and sjamboks by at least six assailants before being stabbed,” David said.

Five suspects have since been arrested.

Police say gangs target schools

Netshiunda said such incidents show how quickly learners are drawn into organised crime.

“If a 14-year-old is involved in criminal activity, we should be worried as a country — because those are the future of the country. Our schools have become breeding areas for these criminals, because hardcore gangsters go and recruit at schools. That’s why we are seeing different gangs at schools.”

Using Inanda as an example, he said rival gangs like the West Gang take their fights from the streets into classrooms.

“We see teenagers using guns and knives to eliminate each other. That’s how you breed a hardcore criminal — because if you can kill your rival, it gives you power to move up the gang ranks. That’s when they move on to hijackings and cash-in-transit heists, because they have now graduated.”

Safety schools programme launched

Netshiunda pointed to the safety schools programme as one of the interventions to tackle the crisis.

Recently, KZN Premier Thami Ntuli launched a comprehensive school safety programme in response to the wave of violence and lawlessness in classrooms.

Since January last year, more than 2 300 incidents of sexual harassment, theft, drug abuse, gang activity and faction fighting have been reported in schools across the province.

The province has also been shaken by the killing of four teachers this year, prompting urgent calls to protect both educators and learners.

Ntuli said the initiative would target more than 50 identified high-risk schools, with 11 in the uMgungundlovu District — including Smero High, Woodlands Secondary and Esther Payne Smith Secondary — prioritised for immediate intervention.

“The initiative will empower young leaders to drive conversations on gender-based violence, bullying, drug abuse and other risks, while creating confidential reporting channels for learners,” Ntuli said.

Raids and community involvement

Netshiunda said a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the police and the Department of Education underpins the programme, ensuring stronger co-operation between the two entities. Police also conduct unannounced raids at schools.

“There is never a time that we raid a school and we don’t find knives or sharp objects. For a learner to take such to school only means they are being bullied and want revenge, or they plan to hurt someone — and that someone could be a teacher.”

The MOU also involves religious leaders and other community stakeholders through an “Adopt-a-School” programme, where leaders take responsibility for instilling values and encouraging behavioural change among learners.

“We want to see schools as safe environments, but as things stand, schools are not safe — they are a breeding ground for criminals.

“Change starts at home, I believe that parents can do more to curb the violence by being more involved with their children. They should demand to see their children’s bags to ensure they don’t take knives or dangerous objects,” Netshiunda said.

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