Cape Town school beefs up security amid gang violence surge

CAPE TOWN - The principal at Lotus Secondary School says security at the institution must be beefed up to ensure the safety of learners.

This comes as learners in Cape Flats areas recently affected by a surge in gang violence make their way back to school for the start of the third term on Tuesday.

This comes amid concerns about learners' safety – especially in Ottery, Lotus River and Grassy Park – where in less than a month, a raging gang war has left more than 12 people dead.

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Lotus High School is situated in the heart of the recent gang violence, which has placed a spotlight on the area.

As a second cold front makes landfall in Cape Town, there hasn't been much activity at the school.

Residents there have reported hearing gunshots being fired daily, saying they've kept their children indoors during the June holidays.

The Western Cape Department of Education Department said it will be monitoring the situation along with law enforcement agencies.

The principal, Steven Price, said a former learner was shot dead in a park less than 50m from Lotus Secondary School about a week ago.

Price said he is concerned that the gang violence will spill over into the school but is confident about the measures that have been put in place.

“The local SAPS [South African Police Service] have been excellent. They have started patrols already last week early in the morning and their commitment is to make sure that the children get to school safely. 

“We are confident in the measures that we have put in place in school. We have gotten additional security for the next two weeks.”

Police indicated they would be patrolling the vicinity of the school on Tuesday, but they were yet to show up in the morning.