Gwarube: Schools now places of fear as rape, violence surge

Gwarube was speaking on Tuesday alongside Police Minister Senzo Mchunu in Cape Town during the launch of a Safe Schools Protocol Program.

The launch comes amid growing concerns of learner-on-learner violence in the country as well as incidents of sexual violence.

The minister said the Safe Schools Protocol is not a new partnership; it, however, marks a strengthening of the relationship between Basic Education and SAPS.

Gwarube added data from SAPS has revealed that 28 murders took place in schools for the 2023/2024 financial year, with Kwa-Zulu Natal accounting for more than half of the numbers.

"46% of those involved learner-on-learner violence. Two-thirds of rapes in our schools involve learner-on-learner violence. And more than 11,000 burglaries were recorded across schools in the same year, with stolen items ranging from critical teaching equipment to basic food items meant for our National School Nutrition Programme," said Gwarube.

The minister added each incident represents a violation of a child’s right to education and dignity.

"The people of South Africa are outraged when they see these things happen in our schools. It is for this reason that the Departments of Basic Education and Police embarked on weeks of high-level dialogue, coordination, and difficult but necessary conversations,"

She said the newly launched protocol program will ensure that schools are linked to local police stations.

"However, I will be honest with the people of South Africa, this Protocol will only be as strong as the will to implement it. We need dedication from every school principal, every district official, every station commander, every SGB member, and every learner. The time for finger-pointing is over. We must co-own both the problem and the solution."

The minister urged teachers to monitor toilets and other hidden areas within school grounds during breaks and after school.

ALSO READ: