Parent Calls for Investigation After Milnerton High Protests Spark Fear and Hate Speech Concerns

Milnerton High Parent Seeks Probe into Protest Actions

The recent bullying scandal at Milnerton High School has escalated beyond the school walls, prompting a parent to formally call for investigations into the protests, social media hate speech, and alleged rights violations linked to the incident.

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) confirmed it had received a complaint regarding how protesters and online users allegedly targeted students, spreading intimidation and inciting violence during a critical exam period.

Social Media Amplifies Tensions

The controversy began after a video went viral, showing a Grade 10 boy being assaulted by older pupils in what appeared to be an initiation ritual. Six pupils were charged with assault in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court and released on R2,000 bail.

However, the situation intensified when protesters descended on the school, many wearing organisational branding and party regalia, aiming for maximum media exposure. According to a parent of a Grade 9 pupil, this created an atmosphere of fear:

“Protesters intimidated learners and the school community for two days. They disrupted matrics during exams, postponed Grade 10 entrance exams, and made it unsafe for students to move in and out of the school.”

Social media activity compounded the tension. Some users allegedly doxxed students involved, while others called for violence, with one accused reportedly narrowly escaping an intentional hit-and-run.

Balancing Rights: Protest vs Protection

The parent’s complaint highlights a critical issue: how to balance the right to protest with the protection of children’s constitutional rights. They also called on the SAHRC to develop guidelines to prevent hate speech and ensure accountability online.

“I have laid a complaint against the organisers of protests, social media users inciting violence, and the parliamentary Select Committee on Education for prematurely labelling the incident as racially motivated,” the parent said.

Many in the school community reportedly felt unsafe, with pupils targeted even on public transport, and the disruption coming at a critical academic time.

SAHRC Steps In

The SAHRC confirmed that the complaint will be assessed by the provincial manager to determine whether any actions or statements constituted prohibited speech under the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (PEPUDA).

This assessment will consider the impact on students’ rights, safety, and learning environment, as well as potential legal repercussions for hate speech and online incitement.

A Broader Conversation

The Milnerton High incident raises broader questions about student protection, social media accountability, and civic responsibility. While protests are a legitimate form of civic expression, parents, educators, and authorities are now grappling with how to safeguard learners from intimidation and harm, especially during pivotal academic periods.

As the SAHRC examines the complaint, communities and social media users alike are watching closely, highlighting the delicate balance between free expression and protecting vulnerable students.

{Source: IOL}

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