Increasing school gangsterism blamed

MBABANE – It appears the increasing number of gangs in schools is to be blamed for an incident where a female pupil was allegedly fondled by her male colleagues.

This is a view held by some community leaders, including police officers who spoke on condition of anonymity. They stated that there was a high number of gangs operating in schools, such that the pupils had developed the confidence to commit offences without fear.

They stated that the alleged fondling of a girl was one of the examples of gangs operating because it appeared that the offence was committed by more than one person.

*Jack, who is one of the residents living near the schools, alleged that gangs in schools went as far as intimidating teachers and also fellow pupils.

“They collect money from other pupils when they feel like it and one cannot complain about it anywhere,” alleged Jack.

Norm

He said sexually harassing girls was also becoming a norm because it was being done in groups.

Meanwhile, the Times of Eswatini reported last Thursday that some schools in Mbabane had taken a bold stand in fighting gangsterism, drug and alcohol abuse. It was reported that some pupils had joined gangs.

It was reported that one of the schools, Enhlanganisweni High School had deployed community police officers at the gate to search pupils when entering the school.

Marula

In the article, it was reported that marula brew, locally known as emaganu was the most used by pupils who smuggled it into juice bottles.

Further, it was reported that several dangerous weapons were confiscated from the pupils by the school. This is said to have been done through an operation to rid the learning institution of gangs.

Wilton Mamba, the Indvuna YeNkhundla for Siphocosini was quoted as saying that gangsterism was making the lives of pupils unbearable. He had stated that due to the increase in gangsterism in his constituency, they were now running crime prevention campaigns.

* Not real name to protect source from harrassment.