By Ntokozo Mfusi
The police have cautioned schools, especially in townships, to report the loss of school equipment and to beware of fraudulent school report cards.
This comes after an incident a few weeks ago when a pupil was arrested at eGagasini High School in Umlazi for using a fraudulent school report card to enrol grade 11.
Inspector Khephu Ndlovu, of Umlazi Police Station, said the pupil was out on bail and his case was pending. However, he warned schools to be more vigilant and to ensure that they kept school stamps and other school equipment secure.
The police have embarked on a campaign visiting schools in the area, and warning them to be careful and to report any criminal activity.
Ndlovu said that while the incidents may be few and far between, there was still a need to root them out - and the school visits formed part of that plan.
Last year, a teacher from Ogwini High School, at Umlazi, was arrested and charged when he was found to have been issuing fake report cards. The teacher is out on bail pending the outcome of his case.
National Teachers' Union spokesperson Musa Gumede condemned teachers who sold report cards.
"If any of our members were to be found to be guilty of this offence, they would be called to a disciplinary hearing and harsh steps would be taken against them," he said.
He said teachers who sold reports to pupils were doing the country's education system a great disservice.
Education department spokesperson Christi Naude said that children were not to be admitted to new schools without transfer cards from their previous schools, which would prevent pupils from presenting fraudulent report cards.