LIMPOPO – The Tshilwavhusiku police carried out surprise visits to two secondary schools in their policing area on March 12 as part of efforts to keep learning environments safe and crime-free.

The operation was conducted in partnership with SAPS reservists and private security officers.

The raids at Swobani and Swongozwi high schools targeted drugs, weapons, bullying and other harmful items, which police believe contribute to violence in schools.

The operation followed an incident at Swobani High School, where the School Governing Body suspended a learner after a stabbing involving a 14-year-old Gr 8 learner.

Read more: Limpopo learner suspended after stabbing fellow pupil

On 10 March, the parents and learners involved attended a meeting with the SGB, after which the alleged perpetrator was suspended for one week pending a disciplinary hearing. Despite concerns, police reported that no illegal items were found during the search.

At Swongozwi High School, police referenced a separate incident from October last year, when a Gr 10 learner reportedly chased the principal with a knife after being reprimanded for misconduct.

Read more: Limpopo learner attacks principal

The learner was also accused of bullying others.

Station commander Col Tshililo Mukoma, who led the operation, warned learners against drug use. “If learners continue to use drugs, we will catch them and bring them to book, and this will negatively affect their future,” he said.

Mukoma added that several cell phones were found hidden in ceilings at Swongozwi High School. He warned that police would continue conducting similar searches at schools across the area.