The security conditions in nearly all the disadvantaged schools were appalling. The most basic safeguards were either not in place or were being removed. These include adequate fencing, police protection, weapons checks, and security guards. This not only creates a problem but hampers solutions. We know of good people, educators, and counsellors who will not work in disadvantaged schools because their security cannot be guaranteed.
Many schools have no fencing.
Most have inadequate fencing. Police protection is so inadequate that police response time can take days or weeks even in the wake of murder. Gangs tend to operate with impunity in many school environments. This even means engaging in murders that are never investigated. At Isibonelo Secondary School, a 16 year old boy was shot on campus in late October.