AT LEAST 17 pupils were arrested at Maselekwane High School in Bolobedu, Limpopo, after they were found smoking dagga during school hours.

AT LEAST 17 pupils were arrested at Maselekwane High School in Bolobedu, Limpopo, after they were found smoking dagga during school hours.

Police spokesperson Constable Rebotile Shai said police also arrested two other suspects, who had allegedly sold the dagga to the pupils.

The two and the pupils were arrested on Friday after police forced the pupils to lead them to the place where they had bought the dagga.

Shai said the suspects were arrested after police received a tip-off from some teachers at the school about the strange behaviour displayed by some the pupils.

"We sent police officers to the school. They found pupils smoking the green weed behind the toilets," she said.

When the police arrived some of the pupils tried to jump over the fence but were caught.

Shai said some of the other dagga dealers escaped before police visited their homes. She appealed to the residents to help bring them to book as they risked destroying the future of their children.

She said those arrested led police to their smoking partners. Shai said the arrested pupils were released on warning.

The two suspects who had sold the dagga to the pupils appeared briefly in court, where they were released on bail.

But some parents said the two should not have been granted bail.