Prem Balram, head of Reaction Unit South Africa, said they received an average of four calls a week for drug-related incidents at high schools in Verulam.
Image: Facebook
Verulam schools are witnessing a disturbing rise in drug turf wars, with high school girls peddling mandrax and cannabis to pupils.
Prem Balram, head of Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa), said they received an average of four calls a week for drug-related incidents at high schools in Verulam.
He said last week, a pupil was caught with drugs during school hours, and she threatened the principal that a notorious drug dealer from the area would “come and deal” with him if he pursued charges against her.
“Girls from grades 8 to 12 are dealing in drugs. I believe that the reports of gang violence, stabbings, intimidation, assaults and bullying are linked to a drug turf war in our schools.
“We sometimes stand outside schools, and see drug dealers pitch with their gangs – armed with golf clubs, sticks and guns. They threaten and assault children,” he added.
Balram said in the past few days, the parents of three schoolgirls met him and claimed that their daughters were involved in drugs.
He claimed some of the under-aged girls were selling their bodies to drug dealers for money and drugs.
“One parent told me that she feared her daughter was selling her body to a drug dealer either for money or drugs. Other parents have reported their teenaged daughters were being fetched and dropped off at schools by drug dealers.
“When we interviewed the girls, it was established that they were addicts and peddling the drugs at various schools in Verulam,” Balram said.
“We conduct regular joint operations with police at schools, and have found weapons and drugs on the pupils. We have caught children trying to flush the drugs in the toilet or throw it out of the window. Unfortunately, while teachers and principals are trying their best to combat the scourge, they are also being intimidated and assaulted,” he said.
He claimed the pupils hid the drugs in their pencil cases and lunch boxes.
“The problem is that in most cases, these pupils are not arrested or charged. They face a short suspension, or, at worse, are expelled. This is enabling a whole new generation of drug dealers,” he added.
A source who worked closely with the police told the POST on Monday that investigations had revealed the schoolgirls had close links with the drug dealers in Verulam and surrounding areas.
“Drug dealers are also using children from their families - especially the young girls - to peddle drugs. They train these girls to exert pressure on other children to take drugs or peddle for money.
“They are now breeding a whole generation of drug dealers. Our investigations found us circling back to certain names. We found that the young cousin of a drug dealer was dealing in drugs at a school in Trenance Park. The daughter of a school governing body (SGB) member at a school in the area was also caught with drugs in school.
“Her mother told the school she had mistakenly left the drugs and cigarettes in her daughter’s schoolbag, and that she would take responsibility for them. It has been alleged this family are closely related to a known drug dealer,” said the source.
“The child did not face any consequences. We suspect that SGB members and teachers who are involved in this, are tipping the pupils off about the drug raids,” the source added.
“The reality is that these pupils could face jail time and prosecution, despite being minors. We have had many children sent to Girls' and Boys' Town South Africa, based in Verulam, after they were sentenced. We need more education in schools, and drug kingpins need to be caught for this to be stopped,” the source said.
Rachel Wilkin, spokesperson for the Verulam Community Police Forum, said they were concerned about the increasing reports of girls found in possession of drugs at schools, and the growing incidents of bullying and violence among female pupils.
“We believe this trend reflects broader social pressures facing young people. Social media has also become a significant factor. Fights which are often recorded and shared online are creating a culture where children feel pressured to perform for an audience,” she said.
“What many pupils do not realise is that school violence, intimidation and drug dealing are not just disciplinary matters. They could have legal consequences,” she added.
“Parents also play a critical role. Children still need guidance and support during adolescence. If parents feel overwhelmed, it is important to seek help from extended family, community organisations, counsellors or support services, rather than leaving children to navigate these challenges alone.
“Schools cannot carry the responsibility alone. With large numbers of pupils, it is unrealistic to expect teachers to replace parental guidance. Communities must work together to provide young people with positive spaces where they can build confidence, belonging and identity through constructive activities such as sport, arts, leadership programmes and mentorship,” added Wilkin.