Chairperson, the reply is that, at a national level, the SAPS issued guidelines for schools-based crime prevention and will work closely with the Department of Basic Education to build and ensure collaboration at local level between police stations and schools in their areas in the interests of school safety. This approach addresses school safety by dealing with both prevention programmes and ensuring appropriate responses to safety concerns.
Search and seizure procedures should be undertaken as part of this broader approach and are one of the possible responses to the concerns about drugs or dangerous weapons in schools. It should also be done in co-operation with school management, school governing bodies or safe school committees as a practice, as it has been done.
Part of the SAPS's school safety approach is to also build a positive relationship between the learners and the SAPS to ensure that they trust the SAPS, report crime and share their safety concerns. It is therefore important that we keep that objective in mind when dealing with law enforcement duties like search and seizures, whilst at the same time instilling confidence with decisive and professional action when crimes are committed in these areas. I thank you, Chairperson.
Chairperson, I am covered. Thank you.
Chairperson, I just want to ask the Minister whether he is aware of the fact that the Western Cape MECs for education and community safety oversaw a search by the SAPS at Groenvlei Secondary School in Lansdowne where five learners were arrested, after which MEC Grant welcomed the action by the police.
Chairperson, I am not sure whether I heard the latter part.
I can ask her just to repeat it. Can you repeat the latter part, Ms Moshodi?
Chairperson, I just want to know whether the Minister is aware that the Western Cape MECs for education and community safety oversaw a search by the SAPS at Groenvlei Secondary School in Lansdowne where five minors were arrested and MEC Grant welcomed the action by the police. Thank you, Chairperson.
Chairperson, it is, as you have heard from the hon member, a very specific incident to which I cannot respond now, as I was not aware of it. There are many such incidents that happen in different provinces. I would have to get the details thereof, because I don't even know where to start with the comment of the MEC. I would have to check.
Chairperson, my apologies if I didn't indicate sooner. Chair, through you to the hon Minister: I really do commend you on the dual approach and building trust with the Police Service. Now, given that approach, the raid on the Public Protector's office really does a lot of damage to that trust, does it not? Could you comment on that, hon Minister?
That doesn't seem to be related to the question at hand, Mr Lees. That is a different question altogether. Are there any other follow-up questions? No.
Impact on department of perceived lack of will on part of Zimbabwean government to process passport applications and effect of this matter on forthcoming Zimbabwean national elections
6. Mr M W Makhubela (Cope) asked the Minister of Home Affairs:
(1) Whether her department has been affected by the perceived lack of will of the Zimbabwean government to process passport applications which are requested by the Zimbabweans for purposes of obtaining permits in South Africa; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether this matter will have an effect on the forthcoming Zimbabwean national elections; if not, what is the position in this regard ; if so, what are the relevant details?