The Pretoria West police recently conducted a series of searches at various schools to curb bad behaviour among learners and clamp down on contraband.
The station’s Social Crime Prevention team, Gauteng Traffic Wardens and the station’s Youth Desk Chairperson searched Lotus Gardens Secondary School, where various prohibited items were found.
“The search was focused on dangerous weapons, drugs and all prohibited items at the school premises. Items found were dagga, matches, and vapes. All the learners who were found with illegal or prohibited items were taken to the office for discipline,” spokesperson Constable Sibongile Vuma said.
Vuma said the learners were reprimanded and their parents were informed.
“They were also reminded that dangerous weapons are not allowed at school.”
The team also visited Die Heuwel Primary School because of of ongoing fights and bullying between learners in grades six and seven. The visit was meant to curb any misbehaviour before more serious cases involving bullying, gangsterism, and fighting become a reality.
“This comes after [an] incident of bullying that involved two groups of gangs in the school. The police instructed the learners to disband the gang groups with immediate effect,” Vuma said.
The learners were warned not to start the gang fights again.
“We want to encourage the learners to create a safe, friendly and inclusive environment, where all learners will feel welcome, comfortable and respected inside the school premises. This will help them to learn from each other and to achieve good grades. They were also encouraged to report any kind of bullying to their teachers and parents,” Vuma added.
The police had visited the school in May for the same issue; however, the purpose of that day was to educate the learners about bullying through drama.
The Dream Family organisation performed the staged drama The Classroom. The drama portrays a message of anti-bullying, and it explains all kinds of bullying.
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