Statement by André Gaum, Western Cape Education Minister

Drastic action is needed to save our schoolchildren from the ongoing open violence of ruthless and murderous gangs. The tragic death of Desmoné Smith is the third time that a child’s life has been ended by gang violence in the last few days.

I therefore wholeheartedly support the Premier’s request that the Army be urgently called in. There is no other choice but to fight fire with fire. This is clearly the only language understood by the gangs, whose members care less than nothing about our children.

The swift approval of military action to stabilise the situation has now become an urgent necessity.