Residents of Samora Machel in Cape Town say the newly launched National Safe Schools Protocol fails to address the critical issue of criminals targeting pupils after school hours. This comes after Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu announced a joint plan to enhance safety measures, including teacher vetting, visible policing, and tackling in-school violence.
The protocol identifies 283 schools nationwide for targeted interventions, but communities like Samora Machel—where four uniformed pupils were shot dead in less than a month—say the measures fall short.
“We Need Action, Not Signatures”
Local leaders argue that the protocol means little without visible enforcement.
“We are not excited yet about the signing of the protocol,” said one community member. “We’ll be excited when we see the practicality of it—police on the ground, not just signing documents. The recent incidents in Samora Machel need a real strategy: officers patrolling informal settlements, conducting searches, and securing school routes—not just driving past in vans.” Samora Machel CPF spokesperson.
Youth Demand Inclusion in Safety Plans
Young activists insist that solutions must involve youth, given their firsthand experience with street violence.
“We have a high crime rate here—guns and ammunition are easily available to young people,” said a youth leader. “It’s us who are dying, us who carry these guns. That’s why any plan must include young people in finding solutions.”
Calls for More Resources and Policing
Critics warn the plan could fail without additional resources for police and crime prevention.
“Before implementing such programs, specialized units must be deployed daily to remove illegal firearms and make the streets unsafe for criminals,” argued a resident. “Only then can we ensure a conducive environment for safety measures to work.”
Many in Samora Machel remain skeptical, fearing pupils’ safety is still at risk the moment they leave school premises. As the government rolls out its protocol, residents demand urgent, tangible action—not just promises.
