“School is stressful” was the curt answer given to police by a learner at a Bonteheuwel high school after he was found with Jack Daniel’s whiskey on him.
The admission came during a blitz targeting schools in the area conducted by police, Metro police and local neighbourhood watches in a “unified operation”.
According to local ward councillor, Angus McKenzie, what they found on learners was nothing short of alarming. “We found cigarettes, lighters and lots of vapes, aside from the Jack Daniel’s find, and knives.”
Dealing drugs
The operation also uncovered a learner actively dealing in drugs. “He had drugs and a significant amount of cash on him,” McKenzie said. “Imagine a learner selling drugs in a place where he is supposed to learn. This is exactly why these operations will not stop. In fact they will become more frequent and more consistent.
“If we don’t intervene now, we lose our children to the same cycle we are pushing up against in our streets. As gang violence rises in our communities, it doesn’t stay on the streets. It creeps into our classrooms.”
He said the process would not stop there. “Every case involving drugs or weapons has been escalated. Social workers have been brought in, schools are being supported through the Safe Schools Programme and interventions are underway to deal with the root causes.
Wake-up call
“We are here not to criminalise children but to keep them safe. This should be a wake-up call for every parent, guardian and community member. What enters our schools today shapes our communities tomorrow. We will not look away, we will not slow down, nor will we allow our schools to become recruitment grounds for gangs!”
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