ACORNHOEK – The South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Health, and the Greater Rape Intervention Programme (GRIP) joined forces yesterday to launch a school safety campaign at Greenvalley Primary School.

The multi-stakeholder initiative, held on 20 May in observance of Child Protection Month, targeted young learners to equip them with vital safety knowledge and legal rights awareness.

Lt Col Mashaba spearheaded the session, directly addressing learners about prevailing safety threats on school grounds and within their home communities. The presentation tackled heavy social and criminal hurdles facing local youth, focusing strictly on:

• Children’s Rights: Teaching pupils about their legally protected foundational rights.
• School Grounds Crime: Practical strategies to counter bullying, theft, and escalating gangsterism.
• Social and Health Ills: Open discussions covering substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, and rape.

Law enforcement officials strongly urged learners to join local sports programs to foster positive community engagement and steer clear of criminal influences. Speakers closed the event by emphasizing that a safer environment relies heavily on a strong partnership between the youth and the police, calling on pupils to report any illegal activities immediately.