KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has issued a stern warning to matric pupils who will be organising ‘pens downs’ parties that police will be out in full force against irresponsible behaviour.

Outlining provincial festive safety plans for this year in Durban on Thursday, Mkhwanazi said police are already busy protecting examination papers and escorting them when delivered to schools and back to the warehouses.

However, more focus will be on the post-examination parties, which always end negatively.

Mkhwanazi said experience has, however, taught them as police that the real policing challenge begins right after the completion of matriculation examinations.

He said this when matric pupils celebrate their completion of papers with parties known as “pens down”.

“In KwaZulu-Natal, the phenomenon of ‘pens down or explosion parties’ is prevalent, especially in the eThekwini region. We are issuing a stern warning to Grade 12 pupils who are now busy with their final year examinations that their focus should be on what lies ahead at institutions of higher learning, not dangerous parties that might end with undesirable results,” said Mkhwanazi.

He stated that in these parties, learners, some of them still underage, indulge in alcohol and illegal drugs, and unfortunately, many of these parties do not end without casualties.

He appealed to parents to adopt active parenthood and discourage their children from risking their lives.

“You do not want your child to be in conflict with the law because police will be out to enforce the law, not to negotiate with lawbreakers,” warned Mkhwanazi.

He cited the popular rage festival in Ballito, north of Durban, as an example. This event sees many matric pupils from across the province gather to celebrate finishing their examinations.

Mkhwanazi announced that 1,000 new police recruits, graduating next month, will be deployed to shopping malls to enhance security for shoppers during the festive season.

He cautioned stokvel groups and business people against carrying large sums of money, advising them to use digital banking as a safer alternative to physical banking.

With the festive season coinciding with the start of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, Mkhwanazi stated that police are implementing strategies to ensure the protection of women and children.

willem.phungula@inl.co.za

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