By Marcus Moloko
Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile, joined South African Police Service-led search and seizure operations at schools in Westbury today, as part of intensified efforts to curb substance abuse and dangerous weapons on school premises.
Maile confirmed that authorities confiscated some concerning items.
At one school, officials recovered 20 vapes, 20 smoking substances, five matchboxes, three Okapi knives, 18 packets of suspected dagga, two tasers, and two additional items recorded as “sings.”
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At another school, police seized 16 vapes, six smoking substances, four matchboxes, three sachets of suspected dagga, one dagga joint, a knuckle duster, and two knives. Additional items included screwdrivers, lighters, unidentified pills, and a two-litre bottle of Sprite allegedly mixed with codeine, known as lean.
Maile said the scale of the confiscations clearly indicated that schools must remain safe spaces for learning.
“he community of Westbury has experienced serious safety challenges, and our schools cannot be allowed to become spaces where dangerous weapons, drugs, and other harmful substances are tolerated. Schools must remain safe and conducive environments for teaching and learning,” Maile said.
He labelled the operations as part of a broader intervention to restore discipline, strengthen accountability, and ensure schools remain secure.
“The safety of our schools cannot be separated from the safety of the communities in which they are located. We therefore need parents, families, community leaders and residents of Westbury to work alongside the South African Police Service, the Department and other law enforcement agencies to protect our children,” he said.
The Department confirmed that school safety interventions will continue, with community involvement seen as critical to preventing prohibited substances and weapons from reaching learners.
