KwaDukuza school gangsterism threat on the rise
Schools where gangster activity was most prevalent included Groutville High School, and Nonhlevu, Chief Albert Luthuli and Stanger South secondary schools.
The escalation of gangsterism and drug dealing in KwaDukuza schools over the past three years is a growing safety risk for pupils and teachers.
KwaDukuza Community Policing Forum chairperson, Dr Mfuneni Zungu, said at least 13 pupils who have been part of gangs or have been harassed by gang members, were receiving psychological help.
“They are scared to go back to school and some ask to be sent to schools far away from KwaDukuza,” said Dr Zungu.
These gangs mainly deal in drugs and rob pupils of their valuables, clothes and even school bags.
This spills over into fights between boys from different neighbourhoods outside school grounds.
Zungu said a number of pupils had been suspended or expelled because of their involvement.
“When we conduct searches we find a shocking number of knives, for example. Something must be done about the shops that sell fishing knives because that is mostly the types of knives we confiscate.”
He said the schools where gangster activity was most prevalent included Groutville High School and Nonhlevu, Chief Albert Luthuli and Stanger South secondary schools.
“We have schools such as ML Sultan Secondary that experienced similar problems, but the situation improved after decisive intervention,” said Zungu.
Regional chairperson of the National Teachers Union, Siyabonga Mthuli, confirmed that teachers did not feel safe.
“After taking drugs pupils turn wild and uncontrollable. We have been calling for stronger security measures at schools but it seems no one is listening. There are so many safety issues facing students and teachers in and out of school,” said Mthuli.
Education department spokesperson, Muzi Mahlabi, said this was a societal matter that engulfed both the schools and the communities in which they were situated.
“It is high time that communities take the issues of the community policing forum and the street committees seriously as the first line of defence. Schools are microcosms of society,” said Mahlabi.
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