Special needs pupils being used to sell drugs - principal

Pupils at a Gugulethu special needs school are being used by some in the community to sell drugs, says the principal.

Tembaletu School for Learners with Special Education Needs principal Ayanda Mtshazo sounded this warning during a drug-awareness drive at the school on Wednesday last week.

Some of the school's pupils had been found using dagga, he said.

“We all know that drugs and alcohol can have profound effects, not only on the lives of sufferers but on their loved ones too. What we found out is that although they are disabled, some community members are using them to sell drugs. Remember, some have mental challenges. Once they have drugs, they become unruly. They even assault others and do not comply to listen," he said.

“Stop using our children, knowing very well that they are not in a good state of mind. Some are on medications; you can imagine what drugs do to them."

SAPS, along with representatives from the Department of Social Development, the Western Cape Education Department's safe schools programme, and the Rebuilding and Life Skills Training Centre (Realistic) visited the school to talk to the pupils about the dangers of drugs.

Police spokesperson Constable Nomapha Homane said some random searches at the school in the past had found dagga muffins and dagga itself.

“We are here to educate the children before they get addicted. The problem about drugs would be when the body wants them, and the children cannot help but to use them. We do not want to see them addicted."

Lwando Mpondo, from the safe schools programme, said drugs only led to death, and he urged the pupils to listen to their teachers.