The screws are being turned on teenagers who refuse to abide by the codes of conduct they have signed. Roodepoort Police as well as JMPD K9 unit, Community Policing Forums and private security companies all assisted in a raid of West Ridge High School on Friday 21 February.
The raid formed part of an ongoing campaign by local law enforcement to flush out negative elements from Roodepoort schools. While authorities have been engaging the youth in multiple talks throughout the year, the raid was an opportunity to prove that action speaks louder than words. The police and their partners raided 10 classrooms, searching learners’ schools bags, pencil cases and blazers.
A variety of contraband was discovered ranging from cigarettes to alcohol, and unfortunately even illicit drugs. The senior grades were the primary target with one Grade 11 learner being found in possession of a small bag of white solid powder and another with a full unopened bottle of gin. The most common substance confiscated on the day though was marijuana of the rolled, unrolled and even baked variety. One child was found with a large sack of individual bags of marijuana, which was allegedly being earmarked for distribution.
JMPD Community Outreach Officer, Ouma Morudi was disappointed, not in the successful search, but that so much was discovered. “Finding these things is not a success for us. When we come here and find nothing, we feel good because the children are not doing bad things.” Roodepoort Police spokesperson, Captain Juanita Yorke shared her sentiments saying, “There is no such thing as a bad child. We want to work with parents, the school and the GDE to help clean up our schools.”
Captain Yorke explained how these confiscations were handled by the police saying, “In the case of distribution, that charge carries a minimum sentence of 12 years, but our first aim is rehabilitation. In all cases, we will try to find the root cause that we can eliminate to properly rehabilitate. We want the best for these kids.” Stronger actions are often needed to drive home the message; hopefully excitable teenagers will think twice about abusing the gift of education.
