Statement by André Gaum, Western Cape Education Minister

I welcome Minister Asmal’s announcement that he is going to consult more widely about the extension of target-shooting in schools.

It is puzzling that he has not discussed such a sensitive question with the Minister of Safety and Security, who is after all the Minister responsible for internal safety.

Although there is nothing whatever wrong with target-shooting in schools as such, I emphatically do not support the distribution of weapons to schools where it cannot be guaranteed that such weapons will be kept in absolute safety. Any step that puts at risk the safety of our schools is irresponsible.

Making weapons available to schools in areas where violence occurs is also asking for trouble, as these schools will at once become targets for evildoers. Beset by the gang violence which is once again bedevilling communities and the unbearable pressure that this places on our schools, we cannot possibly approve anything which will make schools even more of a target than they already are.

Such a step will therefore not take place in the Western Cape.