![Minister of Police, Honourable Senzo Mchunu and Minister of Basic Education lead the national launch of the School Safety Protocol. [@SAPoliceService via Facebook]](https://www.thepostnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/School-safety-Protocol.jpg)
Minister of Police, Honourable Senzo Mchunu and Minister of Basic Education lead the national launch of the School Safety Protocol. [@SAPoliceService via Facebook]
(The Post News)- On Tuesday, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Department of Basic Education (DBE) officially signed and launched the updated school safety protocol, aimed at improving security and reducing violence in schools across South Africa.
While SAPS and the DBE have been partners since 2011, the school safety protocol was formally introduced in 2016 in response to increasing reports of crime and violence in learning environments. As part of the initiative, police officers conduct crime prevention and awareness campaigns in schools, covering issues such as bullying, substance abuse, the possession of dangerous weapons, sexual offences, and gangsterism.
The renewed school safety protocol follows the release of concerning data by SAPS for the 2023/2024 financial year. The statistics revealed that 28 murders occurred at schools across the country, nearly half of which were in KwaZulu-Natal. Two-thirds of reported rape cases in schools involved learners, and over 11,000 burglary incidents were recorded nationwide.
At the launch event, SAPS National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola announced that 24,541 schools have already been linked to their local police stations under the school safety protocol. This connection is intended to improve response times and enhance collaboration between law enforcement and school communities when dealing with school-based crimes.
General Masemola emphasized that ensuring the safety of learners is not merely a policy objective but a national imperative. He described the protocol as more than a document but a shared commitment to innovation, cooperation, and accountability. “School safety is a shared responsibility,” he said, “and only through partnership, coordination, and accountability will we succeed in creating schools that are safe havens for learning and growth.”
Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube echoed this sentiment, expressing zero tolerance for school-based violence. “It is very important to note that we are going to be absolutely intolerant to anyone who inflicts any violence on not only our learners, but also our teachers and our schools,” she said.
The renewed School Safety Protocol demonstrates SAPS and DBE’s continued commitment to creating secure and nurturing learning environments for all South African learners.
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