When police were called to intervene at Phakama High School to deal with pupils who were intoxicated at school, they found weapons and drugs during their operation.
The search and seizure operation at the Lower Crossroads school last Wednesday, was led by Philippi East SAPS’ social crime prevention unit and members of the City’s law enforcement.
Sergeant Zola Mtshabe and Sergeant Mlamli Mlumbi said the initiative was part of SAPS’ school safety programme, and before going to the classes, Sergeant Mlumbi briefed the crew on what they were allowed to do.
According to Sergeant Mtshabe teachers and members of the community had identified the school as being “problematic”.
“There are so many bad reports about the school. At some point we were called in because the children were intoxicated and high. But while attending that case we discovered that these children were smoking inside the school premises.
“On that day we confiscated a lot of weapons and drugs. That showed the teachers and other pupils were in danger by the bad guys. We are here to protect all of them including the smokers,” she said.
She said they responded to the school’s cry because they want to see the school safe and protected.
Sergeant Mtshabe said according to unconfirmed reports, the pupils were getting drugs in the community, during school hours and that after interval, many of them would return to class high on drugs.
“The reason for the search was to confiscate drugs and any items presumed to be unwanted on the school premises. We are also here to discourage them from doing drugs and gangs. We found some even though they were not as many as before,” she said.
A resident who lives near the school and who spoke to Vukani on condition of anonymity, said she had seen pupils come to school with weapons or smoking on their way to school.
“It is concerning to see them smoking dagga. I have even seen them carrying knives to the school. What the school and police did today should be encouraged. Our children are getting out of hand so we need such intervention from other stakeholders,” she said.
The Western Cape Education said the search and seizure operation had been conducted in line with legislation which allowed for random search and seizure and testing for the use of illegal drugs if there is suspicion that it is being taken, used or distributed on the school premises.
Bronagh Hammond, the department’s communication director, said the WCED welcomed the intervention and thanked the SAPS for their support to remind pupils that schools are drug-, weapon-, and alcohol-free zones, and that any pupil found in possession of illegal substances would be dealt with by the law.
She said pupils that need support and assistance with substance abuse can call the WCED Safe Schools hotline on 0800 45 46 47 for support.
