Panyaza Lesufi, MEC for Education in Gauteng, confirmed the suspension of 36 students from Leondale Secondary School who were caught on video “smoking dagga” on school grounds.
Lesufi spoke to students at the school, informing them that classmates involved in the incident had been suspended and would face disciplinary action.
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“We have said to the school governing body convenes an urgent disciplinary hearing this weekend. We want to know who was selling this. We want to know who was distributing this. We want to know who is influencing our children wrongly,” he said.
WATCH: @EducationGP1 MEC @Lesufi addressed Leondale Secondary School learners informing them that 36 learners are suspended and currently await disciplinary action for being involved in the disturbing dagga smoking incident. Further investigations are underway. | @Steve_Mabona pic.twitter.com/ATiIlUybuI
— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) April 22, 2022
“On Monday, we are going to open a criminal case with the police,” he said, to gasps of surprise from the audience.
“We are serious, we mean it and we mean business,” he added.
Video footage shared on social media, showed boys and girls in school uniform puffing on several “dagga joints” and passing them to classmates. Thick clouds of smoke rise above the students’ heads.
From here what now ? Leondale High School wat gaan aan mense ? pic.twitter.com/KcU0il2Wk8
— Sewani JC Kaunda (@JCKAUNDA) April 22, 2022
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Lesufi told pupils they had two choices: “Either you want to be a learner or you don’t want to be a learner. We can’t tolerate a situation where children smoke dagga inside the school premises.”
Lesufi voiced concern earlier this month about the “ongoing trend of learners consuming ‘space cakes’ as several learners, from Randfontein High School on the West Rand and Mamellong Secondary School in Tsakane, Ekurhuleni, were hospitalised”.
