Tebogo Monama

Tebogo Monama

Teachers at a Lanseria, Johannesburg, school are worried about their pupils' safety after one of them died while crossing a busy road to school.

Kwenamolapo High School caters for pupils from Diepsloot, Skierlik and the Thabo Mbeki informal settlements. To get to school, they have to cross the busy R552 road.

The point where pupils have to cross the road has no traffic lights, pedestrian crossings or stop signs.

School principal Michael Maligana said: "One of our learners was injured last year and now another one has died.

"I wish we could have visible policing next to the road in the mornings and afternoons, so that children could be safe."

Johannesburg Metro police department spokesman Wayne Minnaar said: "If schools believe that there is a real danger to their learners, they have to submit a request for patrols from the director of operations.

"Most primary schools in Gauteng have scholar patrols and we give them bibs, whistles and stop signs.The projects are very successful.

"But when learners reach high school it gets a bit difficult to control them and make them use one point of the road to cross to the other side."