Soldier deployment not enough to protect learners from gangsterism: Equal Education

Youth-led movement Equal Education says deploying the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to gang-riddled areas is not enough to protect young people from the scourge of gangsterism.

Equal Education believes the government should initiate long-term measures to safeguard learners within the country's education system.

The acting Police Minister, Firoz Cachalia, this week confirmed the army will be deployed to gang and crime hotspots in the Western Cape, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape in the coming days.

Equal Education researcher Yolisa Piliso said learners need adequate provision of psycho-social support systems in schools will curb young people from joining gangs.

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"Such as ensuring that there's adequate provision of psychosocial support systems. Because young south Africans who get involved in gang activity, it does not happen in one day."

Piliso said the deployment of the SANDF to gang and crime hotspots will only offer learners and teachers temporary relief.

"So, it's not only an issue that's going to be dealt with by the deployment of the army in the province. That is not the solution that the Western Cape needs. It needs more strengthened in-school support systems."