The inadequate security measures in Gauteng schools have again been exposed after a security guard at Riverlea High School in Johannesburg was severely injured in a criminal attack. The incident comes barely a month after an arson attack at the school left more than 300 learners without classrooms, highlighting the deepening security crisis.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has repeatedly called on the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) to urgently improve security measures at schools such as Riverlea High, plagued by repeated break-ins, vandalism, theft, and arson attacks over the last several years. Despite these warnings, the department has failed to implement meaningful and lasting interventions to secure schools and protect learners.
The continued lack of adequate security, driven by insufficient security personnel, poor lighting, and uncontrolled access through adjoining open spaces, has led to a violent attack on the school’s only line of defence, forcing the suspension of teaching and learning as safety fears grow among staff and parents.
Following the recent fire, Gauteng Education MEC, Lebogang Maile, acknowledged the repeated incidents at the school and wider criminal activity in the surrounding community. Yet, despite these admissions, no security intervention plan has been put in place, leaving the school exposed and vulnerable.
The DA calls on Premier Panyaza Lesufi and MEC Maile to urgently convene all relevant provincial departments and stakeholders to implement immediate security upgrades at all our schools, including improved access control, enhanced lighting, increased security deployment, and the securing of vulnerable access points.
The DA is the only party with a basic education policy that adopts a whole-of-society approach to unsafe schools. We will, in collaboration with communities, law enforcement and relevant stakeholders, implement an urgent provincial plan to improve school security, ensure compliance, and protect learners, educators, and staff across Gauteng.