Violence, drugs and indiscipline are raising growing concerns about safety in South African schools, with police raids uncovering dangerous weapons and suspected illegal substances, while teacher unions warn that educators are increasingly facing threats and intimidation.
In Gauteng, ongoing school-safety operations involving the South African Police Service and other law-enforcement agencies have recovered knives, vapes, cigarettes, broken glass, scissors, grinders, matches and lighters, alongside suspected illegal substances including nyaope, spice and cannabis.
Recent searches have also uncovered multiple packets of cannabis in the possession of some learners, raising concerns about possible drug distribution inside schools. Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile said the operations were part of efforts to strengthen school safety and discipline.
“Across the operations, law enforcement agencies recovered knives, vapes, cigarettes, broken mirrors and glass, scissors, grinders, matches, lighters and other dangerous or prohibited items,” Maile said.
“Drugs and substances recovered included nyaope, oil, spice, a space cookie and other suspected illegal substances. In some instances, learners were found with multiple packets of cannabis, raising concerns about the possible distribution of drugs within schools.”
