Cape Town - Images of young pupils allegedly smoking drugs at a Cape Town school has sparked a probe by education bosses.
The Daily Voice is in possession of photographs that appears to show pupils from Salt River High School smoking what is believed to be tik.
In the series of photos taken before school last week, five pupils are seen standing behind a wall on the playground allegedly smoking the substance from a black pipe.
In another picture, two pupils are peeping around the corner of the wall as if they are on the lookout.
Meanwhile, the other three pupils are busy with the unknown substance.
A pupil wearing a branded casual hooded top is seen wrapping something inside a piece of white paper.
Another pupil standing next to him, wearing a hooded top, holds a lighter for his friend.
From the images it is clear the pupils take turns inhaling from the black pipe.
A witness, who doesn’t want to be identified, says this is a regular occurrence at the school.
“The children were standing where they thought no one can see them,” the witness told the Daily Voice.
“This is always happening before school and during interval.
“On this day there was a boy who wasn’t smoking and it looked like another one of the boys were threatening him.
“The boy was pointing at him, most probably because he did not want to smoke with them.
“[Yesterday] morning a different group of boys were standing on the same spot and they were smoking again,” the witness added.
The Daily Voice approached the Salt River High School principal Russell Bell about the damning images.
Bell, however, said he could not immediately identify the pupils in the photographs.
He did however confirm that the incident took place at the school as he recognised the location.
Bell said he will investigate allegations that pupils are using illegal substances on the playground.
“The school will investigate the matter,” is all he would say further.
The Daily Voice can however reveal that pupils at the school were previously caught dealing in drugs on the premises.
It is believed pupils as young as Grade 8 and 9 are involved in drug activity on the school.
Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Jessica Shelver said the department would also be investigating the matter.
“Officials are investigating claims that learners allegedly engaged in the use of illegal substances on the school premises,” said Shelver.
“Safe and secure learning environments are essential if we are to ensure that quality education is being delivered.
“It is therefore imperative that our schools remain weapon, drug and alcohol-free zones.”
Daily Voice