Mchunu vows culprits caught extorting schools, attacking teachers will face the music

CAPE TOWN - Police Minister Senzo Mchunu says people found to be extorting schools and attacking teachers will face the full might of the law.

Several extortion-related attacks have been reported at some schools in the Western and Eastern Cape recently.

Earlier this year, a group of armed men stormed a primary school in Philippi, demanding money from teachers.

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Last year, a primary school in Mthatha was forced to shut its doors due to extortion-related incidents.

Mchunu and Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube have agreed on a working relationship to tackle escalating violence at some of the country's schools.

Mchunu says the killing of teachers on school premises will also not be tolerated.

"There are instances where teachers have been murdered inside school premises, principals and teachers, and that is deplorable. It's bad and we condemn it in the strongest possible terms."

Mchunu says there’ll be more boots on the ground to patrol around the 283 schools identified as problematic areas.

Police will also conduct search-and-seizure operations if and when there's suspicion of wrongdoing.