By Mapaballo Borotho

- Law enforcement officials seized weapons, drugs and prohibited items during an operation at Badirile High School in Khutsong.
- Several learners were questioned over suspected gang involvement, while five teachers are expected to face disciplinary action.
- Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile says the school has been plagued by gang-related crime.
Law enforcement officials and authorities from the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) have seized dangerous weapons, including knives, drugs and other prohibited items at Badirile High School in Khutsong, west of Johannesburg.
The discovery has raised concerns about learner safety at the school, which is located in a crime-stricken area. The West Rand has been heavily affected by illegal mining activities and gang violence, which continues to place communities at risk.
The search-and-seizure operation took place on Tuesday morning, 4 August 2026.
Police have confiscated illdgal substances, dangerous weapons, and banned goods during a search at Badirile Secondary School in Khutsong, Merafong City.
— Kaya News (@KayaNews) August 4, 2026
This follows an unannounced search-and-seizure operation.
Badirile is widely considered one of the country's most problematic… pic.twitter.com/qwp1vxulDB
Kaya 959 has established that various groups, namely Mawest, Delta, and Up 7, are suspected of causing disruptions on the school premises, affecting teaching and learning.
Furthermore, several learners suspected of being linked to dangerous gangs have been taken in for questioning.
At the same time, five teachers are expected to face disciplinary hearings for allegedly failing to carry out their responsibilities.
Meanwhile, Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile said one learner was stabbed to death at the very same School in Khutsong earlier this year.
Maile said the school is notorious for gang-related crime.
READ NEXT: