MEC MAILE INTENSIFIES SCHOOL SAFETY OPERATIONS AS 17 SCHOOLS SEARCHED ACROSS GAUTENG

MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile, has intensified school safety interventions, with 17 schools now searched through South African Police Service-led search and seizure operations aimed at removing drugs, weapons and other prohibited items from schools.

On Wednesday, 26 August, searches were conducted at Baleseng Junior Secondary School, Tiyelelani Secondary School, Ngaka Maseko Secondary School, Holy Trinity Secondary School and FR Smangaliso Mkhathwa Secondary School, bringing the total to 17 schools.

The latest operation uncovered nyaope, abortion pills and a substantial amount of dagga. A substantial quantity of dagga was found in the possession of a female learner, raising suspicion that it may have been intended for distribution.

In a separate incident, a learner found with small packets of dagga reportedly confessed that he had been recruited by a local drug dealer to sell the substance.

“These discoveries are extremely 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,” MEC Maile said.

The operations form part of broader school safety interventions linked to the It Takes a Village to Raise a Child programme, recognising that learner safety, discipline and wellbeing are a shared societal responsibility.

“It takes a village to raise a child. Schools cannot confront these challenges alone. Parents, communities, law enforcement agencies, School Governing Bodies and government must work together to protect our children and ensure that schools remain safe and conducive environments for learning,” MEC Maile added.

The operations will continue as part of efforts to strengthen safety and discipline and prevent drugs, dangerous weapons and other prohibited items from entering Gauteng schools.