Panic at toy gun at school
Cape Town 29-4-2021 A random search at a Mitchells Plain school caused panic when a gun was found in a learner’s bag. Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond says it was thought the boy had a gun but when the police searched his bag on Friday they found out it was a toy. The learner is reportedly in Grade 12 in Woodlands High School in Mitchells Plain. pic from google map
A random search at a Mitchells Plain school caused panic when a gun was found in a learner’s bag.
The Western Cape Education Department’s Bronagh Hammond says it was thought the boy had a gun, but when the police searched his bag on Friday they found out it was a toy.
The learner is reportedly in Grade 12 at Woodlands High School in Mitchells Plain.
Hammond says that in terms of Section 8A (1) of SASA, no person may bring a dangerous object or illegal drug onto school premises or have such object or drug in his or her possession on school premises or during any school activity.
“Section 1 of SASA defines dangerous objects, as referring to an explosive material or device; any firearm or gas weapon; any article, object or instrument that may be employed to cause harm to a person or damage to property, or to render a person temporarily paralysed or unconscious; or any object declared by the Minister, in the Gazette, to be dangerous.
“In this case, the school searched a learner’s bags in terms of the search and seizure procedures and found what looked to be a dangerous object in his bag.
“The school immediately notified SAPS, as required.”
She says police on the scene confirmed that the dangerous object was a “toy gun”.
Hammond says the learner was not arrested, but the SGB will decide how to discipline the pupil.
“The parents were notified and picked up the learner from school.”