Police seized an unlicensed firearm during a search at an Atlantis high school.
Image: SAPS
Two teenagers, 16 and 18, have been arrested after police found an unlicensed firearm in a schoolbag at a high school in Atlantis.
Members of the Atlantis Crime Prevention Unit searched the school premises in Hermes Avenue on Friday, 28 August, following a tip-off about a firearm.
The firearm was found inside a backpack, leading to the arrest of the two suspects.
Police said further investigation revealed that the firearm had belonged to a dead person.
SAPS has urged members of the public to surrender firearms belonging to deceased relatives to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.
The Western Cape Education Department could not confirm the incident and that they awaiting from Safe Schools partners on the matter.
However, department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond outlined measures taken by the province in instances where weapons are deadly weapons are brought to school.
Hammond said: “While our schools are dangerous objects and weapon free zones, the sad reality is that sometimes learners carry weapons to school as a means of protection when travelling to and from school. In other instances, weapons are brought into schools as a means of “showing off” or with the intention to harm others.
“We have to ensure compliance at all times. There are challenges with monitoring this. While we can place metal detectors at the front door, a learner can simply throw a weapon over the school wall, or get a weapon “delivered” through a school fence. It is therefore necessary to ensure that disciplinary action is taken when learners are found with weapons in the school premises. It is a serious transgression.
“We are thankful to SAPS who assist us in conducting search and seizures in schools. These ‘unexpected’ visits are extremely valuable, and can deter learners from carrying weapons into schools at the risk of being caught.
“Section 8A of South African Schools Act as well as section 45A of the Western Cape Provincial School Education Act, 1997 (Act 12 of 1997), allow random search and seizure and testing for the use of illegal drugs if there is suspicion that it is being taken/used/distributed on the school premises.
“Our search and seizure guidelines provide clearly defined powers to conduct search and seizure operations at schools.
“The guidelines assist principals in ensuring that they are in full compliance with the relevant law when conducting these searches and that the rights of learners are respected.
“Our legislation bases the right to search and seize on 'reasonable suspicion' and not on evidence alone.
“If there is reasonable and reliable evidence that a learner is concealing a dangerous object or illegal substance in the body of that particular learner, the principal may request a member of the South African Police Services to conduct a more extensive search. If a learner is found in possession of a dangerous weapon, then disciplinary action may be taken.
“The WCED conducts a number of programmes to identify and support youth at risk.
“The support teams can intervene on the learners’ side, seeking to identify problem behaviours early and make the necessary referrals for support, to avoid disruption and additional stress to teachers and other learners. Our boarder positive behaviour programmes, encompass both learners and staff to increase resilience across the system.
“Thousands of learners and teachers are reached through well-being promotion interventions and one-on-one sessions dealing with anxiety, bereavement, depression, abuse and trauma.
“Sessions on “trauma-informed schools” and emotional first aid training also reached thousands of teachers across the province.”
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