BOIPATONG – Police vans with flashing blue lights normally mean trouble for many township schools.

But on Monday, June 9, the very same lights brought nothing but hope, safety, and a powerful message to Makapane Primary School pupils.

This comes after Boipatong SAPS, together with Crime Prevention Wardens and the Department of Social Development, hit the ground running as they launched the Child Protection Week campaign across the township.

Other schools, including Phuthulla Primary and Lebohang Secondary, got surprise visits from uniformed heroes delivering motivational talks, tough truths, and vital information on bullying, child abuse, and children’s rights.

Speaking to Ster, Victim Service Room Coordinator Constable Thokozile Ntuthu said the visit aimed to empower children and remind them that help is never far away.

“We took the initiative to visit these schools to address issues of bullying, children’s rights, and abuse. Our presence is also to show we’re approachable and available. Every school in our precinct will be visited,” she said.

Boipatong has six schools in its police precinct, and SAPS is determined to reach every one of them. Expressing her reaction, Ntuthu said they are content with the drive.

“We are happy that we have taken this campaign to different schools, and we hope that our message was clear,” she said.

Beaming with confidence, a Grade Seven pupil said the session was informative.

“We often face some of the talked-about issues and don’t know what to do. Being informed on the steps to follow and the contact details to dial when facing issues such as bullying means that police care about us.”