In an effort to fight crime, members of Lingelethu-West Police Station in Khayelitsha, working with local high schools in the Lingelethu-West precinct, hosted a junior commissioner programme. The event was held at Luhlaza High School on Friday, 27 February.
Lingelethu-West officers partner with local high schools
The high schools that attended the event included the host school Luhlaza, Joe Slovo, Qhayiya, Manyano, Masiyle and Thembelihle.
Lingelethu-West police station communications officer Sgt Xoliswa Nyalambisa described the initiative as a tactic to fight crime in schools. She said the junior commissioners will work closely with the station.
“This is a nationwide programme that is implemented at all police stations. The junior commissioners will be the ears and eyes of the officers at the schools. Other learners will report any wrongdoing taking place at school to them (the junior commissioners), and they will inform the officers,” said Nyalambisa, adding that the learners are from Grade 8 and 9 only.
She said each school was represented by two learners. As part of the programme, learners participated in a debate.
Learners elected as junior police leaders
“They were given various topics about crime to present to our panel. After that, we elected four learners who will form the leadership of the junior commissioners. The newly elected junior commissioners are Mbali Mali from Thembelihle High School (Junior Station Commander), Mellow Kewana from Joe Slovo High School (Junior Vispol Commander), Mikhulu Xabendlini from Iqhayiya High School (Junior Branch Commander) and Liyabona Mshudulu from Masiyile High School (Junior Support Head),” said Nyalambisa.
Western Cape Education Department supports initiative
A school safety support worker from the Western Cape Department of Education in the Kuilsriver district, Ayanda Mazwi, said the aim is to encourage and motivate learners to take part in issues affecting them at school.
“We want them to be assertive. We want them to stand tall against wrongdoing. They must know how to handle pressure, especially when they are bullied at school,” said Mazwi. She added that learners are encouraged to report any crime-related activity taking place on school premises to their teachers.
Building a bridge between police and schools
Grade 8 learner Liyabona Mshudulu from Masiyile described the event as educational. She said that, as junior commissioners, they serve as a bridge between learners and officers.
“Our job is to be the mouthpiece of the learners. If learners have a problem, they report it to us and we will forward their grievances to the officers,” explained Mshudulu.
