Heathfield High School, Western Cape Education Department, Cape Town, Cape Peninsula, students clash with law enforcement, students clashing

Following clashes between students and law enforcement officers, Heathfield High School remains closed on Wednesday, 17 August. Photo: Ashley Visagie / Facebook

Heathfield High: WCED condemns clashes, school to stay closed

The Western Cape Education Department described the items that were confiscated from Heathfield High School.

Heathfield High School, Western Cape Education Department, Cape Town, Cape Peninsula, students clash with law enforcement, students clashing

Following clashes between students and law enforcement officers, Heathfield High School remains closed on Wednesday, 17 August. Photo: Ashley Visagie / Facebook

The Western Cape Education Department responded to the incident at Heathfield High School on Tuesday, 16 August.

Students clashed with law enforcement officers

Some students from the school in the Cape Peninsula clashed with law enforcement officers and videos of the matter went viral online. Law enforcement officers made their way to the high school to search for contraband when they were allegedly attacked by learners.

It was confirmed on Tuesday that the school was forced to close early. A circular sent to parents stated that students are to be kept at home and school will resume on Thursday, 18 August.

Students and parents were informed about the law enforcement officers a day before the searches were conducted, reports EWN.

Heathfield High School’s governing body revealed that some students felt as though their privacy was being invaded during the contraband search.

A number of items were confiscated from pupils during the search

Responding to the matter, MEC for Education in the Western Cape David Maynier said that law enforcement officials found a number of illegal items on the school premises. Items like cannabis, drugs, knives and cellphones were confiscated.

Maynier also spoke about two males who were not from the school, who tried to enter the premises dressed in Heathfield High School uniforms.

“While learners were entering the premises, law enforcement officials found various items that were illegal on school premises – dagga, drugs, knives and cellphones were confiscated. More concerning was that two males, who were not enrolled at the school, had attempted to enter the school premises dressed in Heathfield High School uniforms,”

said Maynier.
A Facebook group with parents from Heathfield High School shared this image from the school. Photo: Glorya van Niekerk / Team Neumann – Heathfield High School / Facebook

[WATCH] Heathfield High: Students clash with law enforcement

Previously, it was reported that classes at Heathfield High School in Cape Town were suspended on Tuesday, 16 August. School governing body (SGB) member Brendon de Kock explained there were clashes between pupils from Heathfield and law enforcement officials.

De Kock stated that officers arrived at the school to search for contraband. According to De Kock, the students were informed about the visit by law enforcement officers the day before. However, they were not happy with the conduct of the officers and a scuffle subsequently broke out.

Social media has since been flooded with videos depicting the scuffle that broke out between law enforcement officials and the students. In a Facebook post, Shahied Mapoli shared a number of videos about the incident at Heathfield High School. Read the full story here.