Caption; Law enforcement members searching learners alongside MEC Macie
By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe and Kopano Dibakwane
Knives, hammers, dagga, illicit cigarettes, crushed pills and a panga, were some of the dangerous items reportedly confiscated during unannounced searches conducted by a team of law enforcement agencies, led by Mpumalanga MEC for DCSSL(Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison), Jackie Macie, in four schools at Masoyi on Tuesday 3 September.
The secondary schools visited by MEC Macie and his team included; Bhekiswako, Siphumelele, Khanyisani and Lungisani.
According to the department of Community Safety Security and Liaison (DCSSL), the searches were part of the School Safety Programme of the Department in conjunction with the Department of Education and other stakeholders. The four schools were reportedly identified by the Department of Education.
MEC Macie spoke out strongly regarding the discovery of such items in an environment where learners should apply their focus wholly on learning.
“ Learning and teaching should be respected. This thing of learners bringing weapons and drugs to school should be curbed immediately. That is why we will continue to have these unannounced visits to support the Department of Education, to create a safer environment for teaching and learning,” Macie said.
The MEC cautioned that schools will subsequently breed criminals instead of academics, if such behavior is not rectified immediately. He said learners are the future of this country and society will be doomed if learners see nothing wrong with bringing dangerous items to school.
“ That is why we need communities at large to work with us to create safer schooling environment and for parents to monitor their children and ensure they don’t carry unwanted items to school and that they adhere to the code of conduct of their schools,” Macie concluded.
The operation was conducted by different units from the South African Police Service(SAPS), officials from the Department of Correctional Services, Traffic Officers and DCSSL’s Promotion of Safety and Law Enforcement Officers from City of Mbombela.
