Parents from Jukulyn concerned about children’s safety

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Parents and learners at Jukulyn in Soshanguve, one of the most crime infested spots north of Pretoria, are calling for stringent police intervention following the New Year’s Day shooting that claimed four lives. A grade 9 learner from Thakgalang Secondary School in the area was among the victims.

The 14-year-old Vuyolwethu Ziwela, her uncle Mpho Kgobotlo , who was a police officer and Kgobotlo’s two friends, Phomolang Molakapatlo and Thando Dlamini, were shot and killed by armed men traveling in two cars in Block P in Soshanguve.

Calls for increased safety measures at schools are mounting as the 2024 academic year gets under way. Most parents in Jukulyn are concerned about the safety of their children. They say the area has become a crime hotspot. Many parents say gun-wielding criminals are robbing their children on their way to and from school on a daily basis.

“Our kids are not safe in this area. There’s too much crime and robberies and we are scared for our kids. As parents we know there’s too much crime here. Our kids are robbed their cell phones and money,” says one of the parents.

The New Year’s Day tragedy in which four people including a grade 9 learner were shot and killed close to the Thakgalang Secondary School, has sparked more fear. Learners in the area say criminals have taken control of the township and are continuing to rob them in broad daylight.

“I do not feel safe at all because there is a chance that we might be attacked at any moment. So, there’s too much crime,” says one learner.

Another learner says, “We do not feel safe because we think what happened can happen to us too. The crime is too high in Jukulyn. Maybe they should bring patrollers to guard us in the morning and after school, so that we can be safe. Because like when we go to school, they rob us our phones and money.”

Thabo Mooketsi is part of the local community safety group in Jukulyn.

“Criminals here have serious dangerous guns and we need a harsh intervention from government. We know that government is not helping us that much. But we need a harsh intervention.”

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane says programmes to safeguard schools in crime hotspots are paying off and intensifying.

“With schools’ safety we run a programme that looks into that. We deployed security during the night. We collaborate with the police on adopt a cop programme. Searching learners at times. We are also adding on the patrollers especially in crime hotspots areas like Eldos and parents are satisfied with that. We will continue with that.”

Police have confirmed that they are investigating over 300 cases ranging from murder, armed robbery, car hijacking and rape in Jukulyn. So far, four suspects have been arrested in connection with the New Year’s Day attack.

The suspects will make an appearance in court on 30 January: