JOHANNESBURG - Knives, a screwdriver, cannabis, and dozens of vapes.
These are among the items confiscated from pupils during unannounced school raids in Johannesburg's gang-hit areas of Westbury, Bosmont, and Noordgesig.
Police and education officials teamed up for the surprise sweep, marking the latest phase of a provincial crackdown on crime in schools and ensuring the safety of pupils and teachers.
READ | Gauteng schools face tougher action over crime and indiscipline
The scale of what’s being found in schools has raised renewed concerns, resulting in Gauteng Department of Education MEC Lebogang Mail turning his attention to school safety.
“This is scary, and very worrying and as we were saying, it has gotten out of control already. Drastic measures must be taken to ensure that we restore the dignity of our schools.
There are growing concerns that gang-related violence in Westbury, Bosmont and Noordgesig is spilling into schools.
“Government will not tolerate anarchy."
eNCA’s Manqoba Mchunu filed this report.