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School safety took centre stage over the weekend as scores of learners from different high schools marched to Langa Police Station to demand protection.
The protest was organised by Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that advocates for human rights. At least six high schools, including Fezeka in Gugulethu, Langa high, Heideveld high, Vista high and Zonneblom Nest Senior School, both in Cape Town) as well as Queen’s Park High School in Woodstock attended the protest.
They were joined by different organisations including Qula Kwedini, Langa Safety Patrol, Rev M.S Lugongolo Foundation and Langa Community Advice Service.
Among others, the protesters demanded police visibility and intense fight against drugs and weapons as well as gangsterism in schools.
in Cape Flats marched on the streets of Langa carrying placards to hand over their memorandum to Langa Police Station in Langa on Saturday 29 July. The march was organised by Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town which is based in Cape Town.
Scalabrini is a non-governmental organisation, whose mandate is to advocate for human rights and achieves this through a holistic approach that considers all basic needs.
Part of the grievancLt-Col Sakhiwo Dulungana, Langa Police Station Vispol commander, under the watchful eye of the station commander Col Tebogo Jacobs, accepted and signed the memorandum. He vowed to forward it to the office of provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Thembisile Patekile.
Dulungana also to respond within 14 days, an ultimatum by the group.
Speaking on behalf of the learners, Sivuyisiwe Lalendle, from Fezeka stated that they were volunteers of Scalabrini. She said as learners were concerned about their safety at schools. She said they felt the officers failed to protect them.
“We are learners from various high schools who are living in the townships. We have a youth development programme called ‘Unite’, where we discuss our challenges in our schools and communities at large. The common challenge that we noticed is lack of safety in our schools,” said Lalendle.
She complained about criminals robbing learners on school premises and other learners who are coming to school under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
“Even the teachers are scared of reprimanding them when they are on drugs. They keep quiet. We are not safe in our schools at all,” she stated.
Lalendle said they want the officers to have mobile stations at the school premises.
Elaborating why they decided to hand over the memorandum in Langa, Lalendle said they saw Langa Police Station as a neutral venue for all the learners.
The founder of The Rev M.S Lugongolo Foundation, Mawande Lugongolo said it is high time for learners to stand up for their rights. He stated that their future is in their hands.
“It is great to see learners taking a stand." These are our future leaders. We need to support them in whatever initiative they are doing. We are also of the view that the officers need to protect them. The communities must reclaim their streets from the criminals,” he said.
He urged the community to work with the police to fight crime.
“Police alone cannot fight crime. Parents must stop hiding criminals (their sons) when they are wanted by the officers. Also, the community must speak out when something bad happened,” urged Lugongolo.
