IFP raises concern that security measures in KZN schools are falling apart

A debate was held on Thursday in the KZN Legislature following a series of violent incidents at KZN schools, which include the killing of a school principal and the torching of a deputy principal’s vehicle by a pupil.

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Published Sep 22, 2022

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Durban – The IFP has called for the harshest possible punishment against pupils found guilty of burning and vandalising infrastructure, warning that failure to do so would see the government continuing to pay large amounts on repairs owing to the damage.

IFP Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) Thembi Madlopha-Mthethwa said this on Thursday, during the debate on school safety in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature.

The debate was called by the education portfolio committee chairperson and ANC MPL Sifiso Sonjica following a series of violent incidents at KZN schools, which include the killing of a school principal and the torching of a deputy principal’s vehicle by a pupil.

According to the IFP MPL, the government needs to send a clear message that hooligans have no place in schools.

“The IFP condemns the burning of classrooms at Ndengetho High School in Durban, as well as the torching of an acting deputy principal’s car at Northbury Park Secondary School in Northdale, Pietermaritzburg, by a Grade 10 pupil after his cellphone was confiscated,” said Madlopha-Mthethwa.

She questioned the effectiveness of the security systems at schools as pupils arrived at schools with weapons and drugs.

“This indicates that security measures in schools are failing.

“The IFP has – on numerous occasions – called for metal detectors, CCTV cameras and security personnel to be available at all schools to ensure the safety of learners, staff, and school personnel.

“In addition, this would hopefully deter learners and visitors from bringing weapons to school,” Madlopha-Mthethwa said.

She called on the department to increase security measures at schools, stressing that while the question of cost may arise, there was no price on the lives and the safety of learners and staff.

The MPL called on the police to conduct search and seizure operations on a daily basis.

Madlopha-Mthethwa said while they welcomed the suggestion of a Safety Indaba, they were hoping that it would not be another talk shop.

“An indaba must produce more resolutions and provide a platform where stakeholders can be bold and step out of their comfort zones.

“It must deliver a compact that will enjoin them to take decisive steps in preventing destruction of property and to make schools safe,” the IFP MPL said.

Bongi Sithole-Moloi, who stood in for Education MEC Mbali Frazer expressed the department’s disappointment with the acts of violence which, she said, threatened the education of pupils in the province.

She said there was a trend where community members were also vandalising public infrastructure.

“While we respect everyone’s constitutional right to demonstrate and picket, we are concerned that our educational facilities are now becoming soft target during these protests, which often have nothing to do with the schools themselves,” she told MPLs.

Sonjica closed the debate by emphasising the need for all stakeholders to play their part in ensuring that pupils and teachers were safe at schools.

He warned that failure to act against violence at schools had the potential of condemning the current generation to a life of poverty.

THE MERCURY