Note to editors: Please find English soundbite by Sergio Isa Dos Santos
The Gauteng Provincial Government’s (GPG) negligence in addressing the urgent need for stricter safety measures in and around schools continues to put learners and teachers at significant risk.
This follows a harrowing incident yesterday where a shootout occurred outside Primrose High School in Ekurhuleni, causing panic among pupils and teachers.
It is crucial that all learners and teachers feel safe and secure both while travelling to and from school and while at school. The tragic incident that occurred outside Primrose High School is a stark reminder of the importance of taking proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone within our school communities.
The DA in Gauteng demands that the MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko, and the MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, take decisive and immediate steps to resolve this crisis. Proper security measures must be put in place to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. This can be achieved by having Crime Prevention Wardens patrol schools on foot and by vehicle to maintain safety and security in and around schools.
Additionally, the DA demands that the MECs work closely with School Governing Bodies, local law enforcement, and the broader community to develop effective strategies to address the underlying causes of violence within our communities.
The DA further reiterates its call for the Gauteng Departments of Education and Community Safety to initiate an urgent intervention strategy to stop the carnage and harm experienced since the beginning of the 2024 academic year. The intervention strategy should be implemented in all our schools without fail. Parents must have peace of mind knowing that their children are safe at school and while travelling to and from school.