Mvuyo Mati

Mvuyo Mati

One of the 12 pupils who all had dagga-laced muffins in their lunch boxes allegedly shouted "it's our right" when she was arrested.

The children were caught with the muffins, which had been baked with flour mixed with dagga and liquor, during a swoop at two East London schools on Friday.

In one of the swoops at Cambridge township's Unathi High School, eight grade 11s were allegedly found in possession of the muffins and a bottle of brandy.

At Sikhulile Senior Secondary School in Reeston near Mdantsane, four boys were allegedly found in possession of reefers of dagga.

Superintendent Mtata Tana said police made the arrest after a tip-off by concerned people at the school.

"These children are just not disciplined," said Mvuyo Mandlana, who lives near Unathi High. Mvuyo also claims to have seen many pupils smoke outside the school premises.

While police investigate the source of the drugs and liquor, the 12 pupils - whose ages range from 15 to 18 - were released into their parents' care.

Tana issued a warning for children to stay away from drugs and promised that the police would regularly visit the schools with the aim of finding those responsible for selling drugs to schoolchildren.

"Their days are numbered because this behaviour will no longer be tolerated in our communities and schools," he said.

The provincial Department of Education has warned of disciplinary action against the pupils concerned.

Provincial Education Department spokesman Loyiso Pulumani said he expected the principals of the two schools, heads of departments and school governing bodies to convene a disciplinary hearing as soon as possible.

The recommendations of action to be taken would then be sent to the Department of Education's superintendent-general, Nomlamli Mahanjana, he said.