SAPS Special Units and Unchain Our Children Build Trust in Child Safety at Pretoria Schools

In a coordinated effort to prevent crime and strengthen community trust, the Pretoria Moot Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit partnered with Unchain Our Children (UOC) and several specialized South African Police Service units to reach learners at two primary schools yesterday.

Officers from the Pretoria Moot FCS Unit, supported by the SAPS Air Wing, Search and Rescue Dog Unit, Water Wing, Mounted Unit, and Bureau of Missing children, visited Voorpos Primary School in Waverley and Pierneef Primary School in Villieria. Emergency Medical Services and private security company Proshield Security Services also took part, presenting a full spectrum of protective capabilities to the children.

The outreach focused on practical education in personal safety, bullying prevention, body boundaries and the role even young people can play in crime prevention. Learners received clear information on reporting channels, empowering them to speak up when they feel unsafe. Visible policing proved an effective presence: the specialized units demonstrated their skills, creating immediate engagement. Children interacted freely with officers, shared experiences and asked questions, visibly building confidence in the SAPS’s ability to protect them.

This initiative forms part of a longstanding collaboration between Unchain Our Children and the Pretoria Moot FCS Unit. Over the past decade, UOC has supported law-enforcement through faster case processing, practical assistance and access to places of safety. Senior social worker Nicky McDonald continues to provide specialized support that eases the operational burden on officers.

Warrant Officer Melani Smit of Pretoria Moot FCS underscored the value of the partnership: “We deeply value our partnership with Unchain Our Children and know we can always call on both Wayne and Nicky when securing the safety of children. Their dedication lightens our load and enables us to do our work more efficiently.”

By combining specialized policing with trusted community partners, the outreach not only equipped learners with essential safety knowledge but also reinforced young audiences’ confidence that the SAPS stands ready to protect them.

Discover & Connect:

Support Unchain Our Children: Call Wayne: 072 364 8246

Report Child Exploitation: Call UOC National Crisis Line: 067 323 7116