Violent crimes at schools must get urgent attention 

20 September 2019

Yesterday in the Gauteng Legislature, the FF Plus insisted that an investigation into the safety of learners must be conducted and also requested that the matter must be placed on the agenda for the Education Committee's quarterly report.

The party's request follows the death of a 12-year-old girl who was shot dead outside the Izibuko Primary School in Katlehong, Johannesburg.

On Wednesday afternoon, a man and a woman went to pick up their child from school after she had been on a field trip. Unidentified men drove by the school and started shooting at the man and the woman. The man was shot dead and the girl was seriously injured. She passed away shortly after in hospital.

Just a few weeks ago, kidnappers snatched Amy’Leigh de Jager (6) out of her mother's arms in front of a primary school and sped off with her. She was later found unharmed.

The FF Plus addressed a plea to the Gauteng Departments of Education and Community Safety to ensure that the schools in the province are secured. The SAPS must also be involved. Learners' safety, both inside and outside of the school terrain, is of the utmost importance.

Last year, the FF Plus also submitted a private member's bill in Parliament to prohibit protest actions near schools.

Issued by Anton Alberts, FF Plus national chairperson and MPL in Gauteng Legislature, 20 September 2019