Flats schools shut early due to gang wars

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) said recent gang violence has led to schools being closed early in the past week.

On Thursday, 14 August, schools in the jurisdiction of Lotus River and Grassy Park closed their doors earlier after one person was shot and killed and four others wounded including that of a 72-year-old victim.

The WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond confirmed that schools were closed following the shooting but asked parents to be mindful of social media alerts.

Days before that, gun violence had forced Steenberg High School to notify parents to pick up their children earlier in the day, but later retracted.

Hammond added that protocols were in place to make sure that both learners and staff were safe and that they were glad schooling was only interrupted for a few hours and not days.

She said: “The recent flare ups in gang violence in certain communities has led some schools to close early following advice from local law enforcement agencies. 

“Thankfully, this only affected teaching and learning for that day/afternoon at a limited number of schools.

“We are grateful for the cooperation and support we receive from law enforcement to ensure learner and teacher safety. This can be extremely distressing.  

“There are standard measures and structures that are required to be in place at schools in terms of their safety protocols.

“This is to address any incident that may occur and is a threat to teaching and learning and safety of all persons at the school. 

“This includes how to react when there is gang violence, and the lockdown and communication requirements.”