On 9 September 2025, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) K9 Unit conducted a major raid at Belvedere School in Benoni. The operation uncovered a worrying amount of dangerous and illegal items, including over 200 vapes, knives, toy guns, and small quantities of cannabis. This raid highlights ongoing efforts to improve safety and address unlawful activities in Gauteng schools.
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Table of contents
Purpose of the Raid
The raid was conducted as part of EMPD’s intensified operations targeting unlawful activities on school premises. School authorities partnered with police to ensure a safer environment for learners by detecting illicit substances and weapons that jeopardise their wellbeing.
What Was Seized?
During the search, officers used sniffer dogs and conducted body searches on learners. Confiscated items included:
- 221 vapes
- 10 knives
- 3 toy guns
- 3 knuckle busters
- 7 small packets of cannabis (dagga)
- 5 matchboxes and 9 lighters
These items pose serious risks to safety and health within the school community.
Schools Reflect Communities
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane stated schools often mirror their surrounding communities. Where violence, gangsterism, and substance abuse prevail, schools report similar challenges. Peaceful communities tend to foster safer schools, while troubled environments increase risks such as weapons and drug use inside schools.
“In such cases, learners may bring dangerous items like knives, machetes, or even firearms to school. Moreover, communities plagued by easy access to drugs and widespread substance abuse inevitably affect our schools as well,” Chiloane said.
High-Risk Schools in Gauteng
Last year, 245 schools in Gauteng were labelled as high-risk due to their locations and student behaviours. These schools face greater chances of violence and unlawful activity, necessitating extra safety measures and monitoring.
Continuation of School Searches
The EMPD plans further school searches in Ekurhuleni and beyond using K9 units. Such raids work to discourage learners from bringing dangerous items to school and to keep premises safer.
Role of Communities
Parents, learners, and local leaders are encouraged to assist in maintaining school safety by reporting suspicious behaviour, working with authorities, and promoting healthy, drug- and weapon-free environments.
The cooperation between police, schools, government agencies, and communities is vital. Together, they strive to turn high-risk schools into safe havens of learning, growth, and opportunity for all learners across Gauteng and beyond. This ongoing collaboration marks a positive step toward addressing school safety challenges at their root and building a promising future for South Africa’s youth.
Calls for Improved Safety
Vaping can harm young people’s health. Knives and toy guns increase the likelihood of violence and accidental injury. Their presence disrupts learning and endangers student wellbeing. There are rising appeals for security upgrades in high-risk schools, such as CCTV systems and more security staff, to better safeguard learners and staff.
Education and social development departments run programmes that provide psycho-social support, life skills training, and alternative discipline methods. Learners receive focused lessons on substance abuse, bullying, and violence prevention to build resilience and awareness. Partnerships with communities engage parents and leaders to foster supportive environments both inside and outside schools.
Gauteng Education Department’s Response
The department supports police intervention efforts and advocates holistic strategies that address school safety and community issues like drug abuse and violence. The integrated efforts reflect a clear commitment to creating nurturing, secure spaces where learners can focus on education free from fear of violence or harmful influences.
Towards Safer Learning Spaces
While the findings from the Belvedere School raid are concerning, they demonstrate active interventions to protect learners and keep schools safer. Gauteng’s government and education authorities have launched a range of comprehensive school safety initiatives, recognising that protecting learners requires a multi-faceted approach involving all stakeholders.
Key measures include increased law enforcement visibility through regular police patrols and searches, deployment of security personnel such as safety wardens and guards, and the installation of CCTV cameras to monitor school premises. Schools have also been equipped with handheld metal detectors and e-panic buttons to enhance emergency responses. Furthermore, school safety committees and community patrollers work closely with police and social development departments to address behavioural challenges and substance abuse.
