Gangsterism has No Place in Our Schools | Western Cape Government

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Gangsterism has No Place in Our Schools

15 September 2009
Residents of Bonteheuwel have to claim back this school," said MEC for Education in the Western Cape Donald Grant on Wednesday.

Grant was commenting on the stabbing of two learners and the subsequent intrusion of gang members onto the school grounds yesterday.

"Gangsterism is plaguing this society, and if we do not intervene in a collective manner incidents like this will continue to occur. This school has a history of violence, and despite security measures and conflict and mediation programmes at the school, the violence continues."

"The message needs to get across that violence, gangsterism and drugs have no place in our schools. Every one of our learners has the right to learn, our teachers have the right to teach, however, these gangsters are only looking out for themselves and don't care if they bring harm to others."

Grant said that there was a need to look at a different approach on how to address school safety at Arcadia Secondary.

"Today, Nariman Khan and Oscar Apollis from Safe Schools met with the school principal, the school safety committee, and the circuit team leader to discuss how security can be stepped up at the school. They have communicated with SAPS and have requested that a police reservist be linked to the school and the local police station. They have also asked the Department of Community Safety to increase their safety volunteer contingent to seven, from five," he said.

"We need to have visible security and policing to prevent these gangsters from gaining access to our schools."

Grant said that metal detectors were handed over to the school earlier today and that he hoped that they would, together with other safety measures, impact on the levels of violence at the school.

"I have spoken to the principal and have been told that the situation is stable. Trauma counseling has been made available to a number of learners and educators," he said.

"I have seen for myself, and despite the violent society they live in, many of these learners want a quality education and the opportunity to excel academically. We will not let gangsterism further erode their dreams. Therefore learning will continue and we will offer any additional support that is needed."

Grant said that on the 17th of October, the WCED, together with the local CPF's, the Department of Community Safety, the Department of Social Development and SAPS, will be meeting with the school governing body, local community members and armed response to discuss how we can take back control of the school.

"The community needs to know how they can be part of the solution, who the different roleplayers are, and how they can be contacted," Grant said.

"For example, when we have an incident like yesterday, community members could have informed the school that the gang was about to invade the school, or they could assist after-hours and contact armed response or SAPS if there are intruders on the school premises."

Grant said that parents were also part of the solution.

"It is their responsibility to encourage their children to stay away from gangsterism and drugs. Instilling good family values and communication between parent and child are key."

"Finally, if a learner does participate in violence and gangsterism in our schools, he should expect strong disciplinary action as this kind of behaviour, like yesterday, will not be accepted under my tenure,' said Grant.

Media Enquiries: 


Bronagh Casey
Ministry for Education
Western Cape
Cell: 072 7241 422
Email: brcasey@pgwc.gov.za