The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government has announced a major new safety initiative designed to combat a surge in violence, sexual harassment, and gang-related activities within the province’s schools. The program will deploy police and community safety structures to identified hotspot schools in an effort to restore stability.
The urgent need for the intervention is underscored by alarming statistics. Since January of last year, more than 2,300 incidents involving violence, drug abuse, sexual harassment, and gang activity have been reported in schools across the province.
The issue was tragically highlighted nearly two weeks ago when five learners were stabbed in an incident at Glenover Secondary School, which is believed to have been racially motivated. Four learners were suspended following the attack.
A spokesperson for the Department of Community Safety stated that such events “cause a great deal of instability in schools.” In response, the government has committed approximately R1 million to install CCTV cameras in 60 schools identified as particularly problematic.
Detailing the plan, a government spokesperson explained, “We’ll do that by recruiting and capacitating student ambassadors to champion safety, dignity and accountability in every school.” Emphasizing the program’s importance, the spokesperson added, “The safety of our children is non-negotiable. It is the foundation of which our province and our nation will stand or fall. No child in KwaZulu-Natal should ever fear walking into a classroom.”
The initiative will build upon existing structures. According to officials, there are safety committees in every school within the province, which include various stakeholders. Each school is also allocated a member of the South African Police Service (SAPS). However, a spokesperson acknowledged that these committees “are supposed to be holding meetings now and again but previously it was not done as we need it to be done.”
The threat extends beyond students. Last year, four teachers were killed in separate incidents at various schools, underscoring the pervasive climate of violence.
To ensure compliance and effectiveness, officials say they will work closely with law enforcement agencies to conduct unannounced visits to schools. A spokesperson noted the importance of community partnership, stating, “Working together with CPF (Community Policing Forum) structures and other community structures, we are managing to go to school and conduct [operations] because looking at the number of kids in one school, it’s a lot for us coming with one [or] two members.”
In a further measure, the government says it intends to introduce scout programs to contribute to the holistic development of learners, which it believes will be beneficial.
The announcement on school safety comes as Premier of KwaZulu-Natal continues to deliberate on steps to be taken following serious allegations of improper conduct against the MEC of Education, Sipho Hlomuka. Hlomuka has faced severe criticism after a company belonging to a member of his family was among those awarded a contract in a multi-billion rand school nutrition program tender.
