A GRADE 9 pupil at the Pretoria Technical High School in Sunnyside shook like a leaf as he explained to the police why he was carrying a knife at school

The trembling 15-year-old from the suburb of Sunnyside, notorious for drug peddling and its high crime rate, claimed to have received the large Okapi knife from her grandmother to defend himself against bullies.

"They used to take my belongings, including money. Ever since I started carrying the knife, I have not experienced any harassment," he said.

The raid was conducted during operation Safety School Project conducted by Sunnyside police and the police dog unit yesterday morning. They searched 350 pupils in Grade 9.

The same number of Grade 9 pupils were also searched at the affluent Pretoria Girls High School - but nothing was found on them.

Two boys at Pretoria Technical High School, aged 14 and 15, were found in possession of dagga and a knuckle-duster.

The 15-year-old declared the knuckle-duster before the search could begin, saying he used it for self-defence against criminal elements outside the school.

"I have been robbed of two cellphones," he said.

The one found with dagga stashed inside his school tie was taken to the nearby police station where he was charged and later released into the custody of his parents.

Prior to the discovery of the weapons and the dagga, the school's principal, Godfrey Agocs, said the number of cases involving weapons and substance abuse had decreased.

"We take learners to the nearby private clinic for all sorts of tests. If found to be positive, serious cases go for rehabilitation and for weapons they appear before a disciplinary hearing," he said, adding that the guilty are suspended for a week.

Pretoria Girls High School principal Penny McNair welcomed the outcome of the police search saying: "I am very pleased that nothing was found."

Sergeant Asnath Malatsi of Sunnyside police said they netted much less than they expected, and that they would continue with the operation.