A Mthatha school battling drug abuse, where a gun was also recently found, has turned to the authorities for help.
Excelsior Comprehensive School made headlines recently when two Grade 8 pupils – aged 14 and 17 – were arrested after the discovery of a Norinco pistol and two pellet guns.
A teacher had noticed the pupils handing each other a “suspicious” parcel in the classroom and when approached, the pair had allegedly refused to reveal what it was. They were taken to the principal’s office and police called.
Principal Mluleki Nikelo, speaking during a crime awareness yesterday, said the school had decided to invite relevant stakeholders, including government departments, to help fight against the spread of drug usage among pupils.
“Just this year, we had a situation where a pupil tried to stab another pupil and when the teacher intervened, he tried to attack the teacher with a knife as well. We are now trying to rally support from our communities to help us fight this problem.”
Nikelo claimed some were also stealing cellphones belonging to fellow pupils in a bid to fuel their drug addictions.
“We have heard of about 10 cellphones that have been reported stolen this year alone. We think some of the pupils steal them and sell them for money to buy drugs.”
King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) municipality public safety portfolio head Soga Mlandu, speaking during the crime awareness campaign, claimed that the former Transkei region was being targeted by druglords because people were still too traditional in their thinking.
“Children must know that at all times, there is someone waiting to pounce on them and force them into either consuming drugs or selling them.”
Northcrest community policing forum vice-chairman Bongani Dlanga confirmed that many pupils had previously been caught smoking dagga outside the school.
Madeira police station commissioner Colonel Gcinumuzi Chiya warned pupils that as soon as their fingerprints were taken by police, their future was as good as over.
He said some children were enticed into a life of peddling drugs because of the financial rewards.
“They end up being arrested and then their promising future is gone,” said Chiya.— sikhon@dispatch.co.za
Drug crimes hit school
Excelsior Comprehensive School made headlines recently when two Grade 8 pupils – aged 14 and 17 – were arrested after the discovery of a Norinco pistol and two pellet guns.
A teacher had noticed the pupils handing each other a “suspicious” parcel in the classroom and when approached, the pair had allegedly refused to reveal what it was. They were taken to the principal’s office and police called.
Principal Mluleki Nikelo, speaking during a crime awareness yesterday, said the school had decided to invite relevant stakeholders, including government departments, to help fight against the spread of drug usage among pupils.
“Just this year, we had a situation where a pupil tried to stab another pupil and when the teacher intervened, he tried to attack the teacher with a knife as well. We are now trying to rally support from our communities to help us fight this problem.”
Nikelo claimed some were also stealing cellphones belonging to fellow pupils in a bid to fuel their drug addictions.
“We have heard of about 10 cellphones that have been reported stolen this year alone. We think some of the pupils steal them and sell them for money to buy drugs.”
King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) municipality public safety portfolio head Soga Mlandu, speaking during the crime awareness campaign, claimed that the former Transkei region was being targeted by druglords because people were still too traditional in their thinking.
“Children must know that at all times, there is someone waiting to pounce on them and force them into either consuming drugs or selling them.”
Northcrest community policing forum vice-chairman Bongani Dlanga confirmed that many pupils had previously been caught smoking dagga outside the school.
Madeira police station commissioner Colonel Gcinumuzi Chiya warned pupils that as soon as their fingerprints were taken by police, their future was as good as over.
He said some children were enticed into a life of peddling drugs because of the financial rewards.
“They end up being arrested and then their promising future is gone,” said Chiya.— sikhon@dispatch.co.za
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