The parents of a 15-year-old learner have accused Hermanus High School and police of subjecting their daughter to an intimidating drug-related police investigation that happened on school grounds.
Her parents, whose identity has been omitted to protect their minor daughter, lodged a formal complaint with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) following the incident at the school on 16 September.
According to the complaint, the learner was removed from an assembly during a police operation involving drug-detection dogs. She was subsequently required to open a locker shared with other learners.
The parents allege that the dog repeatedly indicated around the locker. After which police searched its contents and their daughter’s belongings.
Furthermore, they say that an officer removed the sole of one of their daughter’s sports shoes during the search.
They told Hermanus Times that the suspected substance was contained in gummies their daughter had received as a birthday gift. Allegedly, the gummies had originally come from a cake sale at a primary school and that their appearance prompted suspicion.
The complaint further alleges that the substance was tested and was ultimately determined not to be an illegal drug.
But the Hermanus High learner’s parents are particularly concerned about the way their daughter was questioned.
A serious problem
The parents allege that their daughter was intimidated even after the substance was tested.
According to them, an officer returned and repeatedly asked the learner whether she had “anything to tell” them. Adding that this was a serious problem.
They say the experience left their daughter believing that she could be arrested and sent to prison.
“She is not an adult capable of simply being dealt with as though she were an adult suspect without appropriate consideration of her age, dignity and welfare,” the parents said.
Moreover, the incident has reportedly left consequences beyond the search itself. Their daughter is now reportedly being associated with drug abuse by other learners.
“Our daughter has already told us that she feels that her reputation at school has been damaged,” said the concerned parents.
Department responds
The WCED has now confirmed that an investigation into the matter is underway.
However, the department told Hermanus Times that it was “not in a position to provide further details at this stage”. WCED added that this is to protect the integrity of the process.
According to the parents’ complaint, they requested copies of incident reports, search-and-seizure documentation, drug-testing records, statements, photographs or recordings and other documentation relating to the incident.
They say that they want any record that inaccurately suggests their daughter possessed or used illegal drugs to be corrected and have called for measures to protect her reputation.
Furthermore, they have requested a formal apology.
Additionally, their daughter must not face “retaliation, victimisation, discrimination, intimidation, academic prejudice or disciplinary disadvantage” for lodging the complaint.
WCED initially said the matter was being handled by its district office. And the Circuit Manager would meet with the principal and the parents “as soon as possible”.
Following further questions from Hermanus Times about whether the district office’s handling of the matter constituted a formal investigation and whether relevant records had been requested, WCED confirmed that an investigation is underway.
“The WCED can confirm that an investigation into the matter is currently underway. To protect the integrity of the process, the Department is not in a position to provide further details at this stage,” said Millicent Merton, spokesperson for the WCED.
The allegations contained in the parents’ complaint have not been independently established. WCED has not disclosed the scope of its investigation or provided details about the evidence being considered.
