Empowering children: Khayelitsha police's initiative against crime and drugs

In an effort to educate children about crime and drugs, Khayelitsha police station, in partnership with various community stakeholders, hosted a three-hour awareness event at Noluthando School for Special Needs in Khayelitsha on Friday, September 12.

The event, themed 'prevention is better than cure,' aimed to inform and empower pupils through education and open dialogue.

Khayelitsha police station spokesperson, Constable Asanda Daweti, addressed the pupils, encouraging them to focus on their studies and maintain good behaviour. She said the primary school pupils were specifically targeted because they are at an age where curiosity about life begins to grow.

The intention was to not only introduce the pupils to the role of police officers in their community but also to equip them with the knowledge needed to make informed, life-changing decisions.

“We know that children are often recruited by gangsters at a young age,” she said, adding that they wanted children to understand that gangsters are not their friends.

"They are wolves in sheep’s clothing."

She added that the event also gave pupils a platform to share their thoughts and experiences around crime and drugs.

This helped police and community workers better understand how young people perceive these issues.

“We are working around the schools within our policing precinct because we do not want to leave them behind in this fight. We want to ensure pupils know where to get help and are brave enough to say no. Our goal is to create a community where children are raised in a crime- and drug-free environment,” she said.

Yomelela Primary School principal, Sibongiseni Dlako, said that schools in the area, under cluster six, had been meeting to address safety concerns. He explained that schools typically rely on teachers and support staff, with no dedicated personnel to handle safety and security during the school day. This gap, he said, has left many schools vulnerable to break-ins and robberies.

“When school safety is compromised, education is compromised as well,” Mr Dlako said.

“Some years ago, we used to have afternoon classes, but now teachers are afraid to stay after hours because they fear for their safety.”

Mr Dlako acknowledged and appreciated parents who volunteer their time to help keep schools safe, but noted that this is not sustainable. “Not all schools have access to parents who can volunteer, and those who do cannot keep doing it indefinitely without any form of support or income.”

He added that while the event had invited the MEC for Safety, the official was unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts. However, he confirmed that a memorandum would be submitted to ensure the MEC’s office receives the concerns raised.

Mzukisi Malungisa, spokesperson for the Khayelitsha Community Policing Forum (CPF), said initiatives like this are essential for empowering young people.

“It’s critical that we work together to build a society where children know how to seek help and where to find it. Educating them early about the dangers of crime, drugs, and alcohol is a step in the right direction,” he said.