OUR CHILDREN DESERVE SAFE SCHOOLS, SAYS POLICE MINISTER

Africa Most Read

Thu 26 June 2025:

 “Our country’s future rests in the hands of our children. And as parents, first and foremost, we all desire the same thing – that our children live good, meaningful lives. We know that a solid education is the foundation of that good life,” said Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.

Mchunu was speaking at the launch of the Collaborative Implementation Protocol between the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in Cape Town. The agreement is part of efforts to address violence, drug use, and crime in schools.

“When schools are unsafe, when learners, educators and support staff live in fear, it robs learners of the very essence of learning and development,” he said.

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The newly appointed protocol aims to link schools directly with their local police stations, introduce joint crime prevention programmes, and involve communities in creating safer learning spaces.

The partnership between SAPS and the DBE began in 2011. However, a more transparent framework was needed to define roles, improve coordination, and ensure consistent action across all provinces and districts.

The updated protocol focuses on preventing early violence. It includes searches and seizures where there is reasonable suspicion of weapons or illegal substances.

It also seeks to combat school-related gender-based violence, sexual abuse, drug and alcohol use, and gangsterism both inside schools and in surrounding communities.

“There is a need to supplement the existing minimum safety standards in schools, and the Protocol serves as one of those measures,” said Mchunu.

“During school holidays especially, we see a rise in burglary and vandalism. These are not victimless crimes. They rob our children of resources, time, and opportunity.”

Mchunu stressed that ensuring safety is a shared responsibility. “Policing is not a one-department responsibility. It requires what we call a whole of government, whole of society approach.”

“We cannot do this without parents,” he added. “They must be active participants in the fight against crime starting in their own homes, in their streets and their communities.”

 

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