PRETORIA - Gauteng’s school safety raids have once again painted a grim picture of safety concerns in schools.
Police-led search and seizures at five schools led to the discovery of nyaope, dagga and abortion pills.
READ | High-risk schools in Gauteng face safety crackdown
The schools targeted on Wednesday included Baleseng Junior Secondary School, Tiyelelani Secondary School, Ngaka Maseko Secondary School, Holy Trinity Secondary School and FR Smangaliso Mkhathwa Secondary School.
This has brought the total number of schools raided to 17.
According to the Gauteng Department of Education, in one incident, a pupil found with small packets of dagga reportedly confessed that he had allegedly been recruited by a local drug dealer to sell the substance.
Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile said these discoveries are concerning.
“Our children must never be used as instruments for criminal activity. Those who target learners and use them to distribute drugs are attacking the future of our communities,” Maile said.
Maile said that the fight against these issues cannot be carried out by just schools and, as such, put to task parents, communities, law enforcement and SGB.
”[They] must work together to protect our children and ensure that schools remain safe and conducive environments for learning,” Maile added.
Operations are expected to continue with the aim of removing drugs, weapons and other prohibited items from schools.