Schools have become breeding grounds for gangs with undercover recruiters masquerading as sweet vendors. Western Cape police revealed they are investigating these sinister recruitment drives at schools.On Tuesday‚ deputy provincial commissioner General Thembisile Patekile addressed a joint education and community safety portfolio committee on learner safety.Speaking to the media after the meeting‚ Patekile said: “In some areas we do find drugs around schools‚ but in some areas you don’t find anything with the vendors‚ you just find fruits and sweets.”Patekile was one of several stakeholders‚ including the provincial education department and the community safety department‚ who addressed the committee.But what was meant to be a simple presentation turned into confusion between the parties over who should take responsibility for the safety of children and teachers in high-crime areas.The SAPS claimed it was not responsible as its mandate is patrolling areas around schools.In turn‚ Oscar Apollis‚ provincial manager of Safe Schools‚ run by the education department‚ claimed its only role is safety on school premises.“The mandate of safety and security does not lie with the Western Cape education department‚ it lies with the department of community safety‚ they are the lead‚” Apollis said.“Yes‚ we have a role to play; our role in terms of safety is within the parameter of the school‚” Apollis said.His comments seemingly unsettled Gideon Morris‚ community safety head of department‚ who said if his department should take the lead‚ it should be given the funds.“Schools Safe budget is with the education department‚ so if that needs to come to community safety‚ it’s something that we need to discuss‚” he said.Pat Lekker‚ African National Congress (ANC) member of the provincial legislature‚ intervened‚ saying the departments should speak with a united voice.But another education official‚ Naziem Shaik Ismaiel‚ added that community safety MEC Dan Plato had claimed at the meeting that the safety issue needed a community-oriented approach.“We don’t know who has the mandate for safety and security… nobody wants to take responsibility‚” he said.Another ANC MPL‚ Theo Olivier‚ suggested that both departments and the SAPS should meet to resolve the confusion.– TMG Digital/The Times..