Calls grow for deployment of school safety wardens
The civil organisation Soil of Africa has called on Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to immediately deploy Crime Prevention Wardens to schools in township areas.
The call follows the fatal stabbing of Lethabo Matula, a 19-year-old Grade 11 pupil at Lesedi Secondary School in Lethabong, Pretoria East.
The organisation is demanding the visible and permanent presence of crime prevention units in schools, warning the province has 72 hours to respond or face protests.
"The safety and future of our children are under serious threat, and the time for visible, consistent policing in our schools is now," the group said in a statement.
"We are heartbroken by the tragic and senseless killing of Lethabo Matula — a young, bright soul with great potential."
Matula was allegedly stabbed outside the school on Tuesday afternoon by a Grade 12 pupil who had not attended school that day.
The attacker reportedly waited until pupils were boarding transport before carrying out the fatal assault.
Matula was rushed to Lethabong Healthcare Clinic, where he was declared dead on arrival.
Police are investigating the incident.
In the wake of the incident, the Department of Education deployed psychologists and its School Safety Unit to Lesedi Secondary to provide trauma counselling and to assess security protocols.
However, the Soil of Africa argues this is not enough.
"This is not an isolated case. Schools in township areas are increasingly unsafe, and unless the province commits to proactive crime prevention, we risk losing more learners," the group said.
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