EMPD to intensify searches in schools to ensure safety

JOHANNESBURG - The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) said it will be intensifying searches in schools to ensure safety on the grounds across the city.

This comes after more than 200 vapes were found in one school during a search conducted earlier this week in the Benoni area.

During the search, officers discovered toy guns, knives, ziplock bags of cannabis, knuckle busters, and 221 vapes.

EMPD spokesperson Katlego Mphahlele said the searches have brought to light the growing threat to student health and safety.

“With the continuous efforts to intensify operations on school searches to curb the number of unlawful activities taking place on school premises, learners were body searched while the K9 unit’s sniffer dogs were used to search school bags in the classrooms for illicit substances and dangerous weapons.”