The initiative, led by Gauteng SAPS<\/strong> Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni<\/strong>, forms part of a broader campaign to curb gambling, bullying, and violence among learners by engaging them in purposeful and mentally stimulating activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mthombeni handed over marimba instruments and chess boards to the school, emphasising their value in promoting creative thinking, discipline and focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the urgency of the mission hit home when learners were caught gambling in class<\/strong>, while the police were present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou are gambling, and you know this is a crime. We are having so many problems in terms of this type of activity in schools,\u201d Mthombeni said, according to IOL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is not a good thing to partake in this gambling because at the end of the day, you will end up fighting.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Mthombeni believes chess is more than a game, it’s a blueprint for life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cChess teaches us to set up goals and the importance of planning\u2026 every decision we make, there will be a consequence for the future,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brigadier Kervin Solomons<\/strong> of Mamelodi West echoed this sentiment, stating: \u201cToday\u2019s event is proof of philosophy in action. We are not reacting to crime. We are interrupting the cycle of crime.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The school’s governing body member, Thalitha Mboweni<\/strong>, acknowledged ongoing issues such as bullying and gambling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe discipline learners involved in criminal activities to prevent such behaviour from spreading to others,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the sound of marimbas replacing chaos and chess pieces replacing playing cards, the police are making their move, one strategic step at a time.<\/p>\n\n\nLearners gamble in front of police<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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