As the third school term begins, the Department of Basic Education, in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS), has launched school safety raids in Inanda, north of Durban.

The operation targets drugs and weapons in schools and forms part of efforts to improve safety in a township that has recorded some of the country’s highest rates of serious crimes, including murder and rape, over the past two years.

The authorities say several schools in the area are being affected by the presence of the West Gang, which is allegedly involved in criminal activity and community intimidation.

Department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga says, “We want to send a strong message that we can no longer allow crime and criminality into our schools as it affects the future of our children. It disrupts teaching and learning in our schools. We are saying the communities must know, right from day one of the third term, that we cannot allow and normalize crime and criminality in our schools.”

“We know there is bullying, there are incidents of learners bringing weapons, drugs and substances to the schools. We can no longer allow these things in the school,” adds Mhlanga.

The department says more raids are expected throughout the term.

[WATCH]
Police in KZN are currently raiding schools in Inanda as the third term begins. Department of Basic Education spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga says the operation is aimed at ensuring safety at schools. pic.twitter.com/OJn17Zsqus

— SABC News (@SABCNews) July 22, 2025