According to a report, the allegations come from a parent, who claims that police displayed improper conduct when they examined dozens of girls in front of teachers and male pupils.
In the report, the mother, who wishes to stay anonymous, said her daughter told her that during the search she had her breasts and her buttocks grabbed.
She further alleged that the police had not informed the pupils of what would happen during the search.
“The girls were lined up on one side of the classroom and this was all done in front of the boys,” said the parent.
Gauteng police spokesman Brig Neville Malila, confirmed that an investigation into the matter is underway, adding that his office became aware of the incident through media reports.
“No formal complaint has been received by the SAPS thus far, but the concern raised by the parent is being investigated,” he explained.
He stated that male and female searches are normally conducted separately.
“One of the groups is normally taken out of the class, if necessary, or they are lined up on different sides of the class,” he said.
“School principals and teaching staff are also present during these school searches and know about them in advance.
“The Department of Community Safety and the Department of Education are part of the process.”
The Gauteng Department of Education’s spokesperson, Gershwin Chuenyane, said his department has also launched an investigation into claims that female pupils at Boksburg High School were allegedly inappropriately touched by police officers during the drug search.
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