Milnerton High Bullying Case: State Not Opposing Bail, But School Return Questioned

The courtroom in Cape Town was tense on Thursday as eight Milnerton High School learners appeared before the magistrate following the violent bullying incident that sparked national outrage. The case, which has shone a harsh light on school violence in South Africa, continues to draw public scrutiny and emotional reaction from parents, pupils and community members.

The Courtroom Proceedings

Six of the accused are 18 years old and face eight counts of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. Two others are minors and, by law, cannot be named. According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila, the state is not opposing bail, citing that all eight accused have fixed addresses and no prior criminal records.

“The state isn’t opposing bail as they all have fixed addresses and don’t have pending cases,” said Ntabazalila. He added that the case had not been finalised as the magistrate raised concerns about the accused returning to the same school as the complainants.

Questions Over School Access

While the Western Cape Education Department confirmed that the learners had been suspended, that suspension is due to end on Thursday. Discussions are underway to determine whether the accused can continue their education elsewhere or sit for exams off-site.

“We are consulting with the school now to find out whether there is an alternative way to accommodate them in terms of writing their exams,” Ntabazalila noted.

The question of whether the accused should be allowed back into the same school environment as their alleged victim has become a flashpoint in the broader national debate about school safety, accountability, and rehabilitation.

Public Reaction And Ongoing Tension

Outside the court and school grounds, emotions have been running high. On Wednesday, protesters gathered in support of the 16-year-old victim, resulting in police deploying teargas and stun grenades to disperse the crowd as tensions escalated.

Social media has been flooded with calls for justice, with many South Africans demanding stricter anti-bullying measures and harsher consequences for violent conduct in schools. “This isn’t just about Milnerton High,” one Cape Town parent posted on X. “It’s about every school where learners fear walking into class.”

A Wake-Up Call For School Communities

The Milnerton High case has become a symbolic moment in South Africa’s ongoing struggle to address violence and toxic culture within school environments. Education experts and child psychologists have called for greater focus on counselling, peer mediation, and mental health support in schools rather than relying solely on punishment.

For now, the accused remain on precautionary suspension, while the 16-year-old victim continues to recover from the trauma that ignited a nationwide conversation.

As the case continues, it has become clear that this is no longer just a local disciplinary issue it’s a reflection of a society grappling with how best to protect its youth from harm, even within school walls.

{Source:IOL}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com