Drug-related violence at Bridgetown High prompts WCED intervention

Cape Town - The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) will action various interventions, including searches and drug tests, to combat the violence at Bridgetown High School amid ongoing clashes.

This comes just days after a vicious fight broke out on the school grounds. Panic spread across the Cape Flats community on Friday as frantic parents gathered to get their children. At the root of the conflict are claims that male learners have formed two opposing groups split along racial lines for the sale of drugs – namely dagga and cocaine, at the school.

The learners are accused of arguing over drug turf. Despite police being called into the school last week, worried parents have raised the alarm over fights just outside the school grounds.

Sadu Davids of the Bridgetown Neighbourhood Watch and Community Development Forum, said patrollers and parents are now left to deal with the fallouts to ensure safety of the community as children hurl bricks and attack one another.

“The patrollers along with the com-munity are trying to safeguard but in Bridgetown the school is the biggest drug house. In the area, we directly approach those who are merting (selling drugs) and pull them out of their houses. At the school we cannot do much. “Yes, the patrollers are helping, but not the real muscle of the neighbourhood watch, because we get told these are children and they must be dealt within a certain way.

WCED spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond, said no learner was stabbed in the fights but confirms that weapons were confiscated. The learners involved in the fight on Friday, as well as those implicated in the fight on Monday, are also facing disciplinary action.

“The WCED acknowledges the concerning levels of conflict and aggression between learners. We have requested an intervention programme at the school, which is being arranged by our district social worker in terms of conflict management, positive behaviour and discipline, as well as counselling support where required.

“SAPS has also engaged with the learners of the school. Further interventions such as search and seizures and drug testing will be implemented.”

Cape Argus