Outrage as MPs Slam Western Cape Education Department Over Milnerton High Bullying ‘Cover-Up’

Outrage as MPs Slam Western Cape Education Department Over Milnerton High Bullying ‘Cover-Up’

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has sharply criticised both Milnerton High School and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) for what it described as a “shameful failure” to address bullying, following the shocking assault of a 16-year-old boy that has left South Africans furious.

The violent incident, captured on video and widely shared online last week, shows a Grade 10 learner being slapped, beaten, and mocked by a group of boys, reportedly from the school’s rugby first team. The attack allegedly took place on October 16, but the outrage that followed has reignited a much larger conversation about privilege, accountability, and a culture of silence in some of South Africa’s elite schools.

“Years of Bullying Ignored”

During an oversight visit to Milnerton High on Thursday, Committee Chairperson Joy Maimela did not mince her words. She said MPs were “deeply concerned” by mounting claims that bullying at the school had been ongoing and ignored, for years.

“The intention was to establish the facts,” Maimela explained. “We wanted to know what the department did when this video surfaced, and what the school has done since. We also wanted to see whether this is not a bigger issue than what we initially thought.”

Her visit revealed troubling details. Learners reportedly came forward to share previous unreported bullying incidents, while some parents alleged that the school often downplayed serious complaints to protect its image.

“There were other allegations surfacing on social media,” Maimela added. “Other learners are coming forward to tell us that this kind of thing has happened before.”

Policy Gaps and Failed Oversight

Perhaps most concerning, the committee found that Milnerton High has no dedicated anti-bullying policy. Instead, the school relies on a generic code of conduct containing just one paragraph on bullying.

“For a school that has had incidents like this, that is simply unacceptable,” Maimela said. “We probed why it took so long to suspend the learners, and it became clear that the school’s internal structures are weak.”

The WCED has come under equally harsh scrutiny. While the department claimed it provided psychosocial support to affected learners, Maimela said the committee found that this assistance was “inadequate and poorly executed.”

“They said they provided psychosocial support, but when we spoke to those involved, it became evident that they did not,” she said. “The support they think they provided is nowhere near enough.”

Teachers Under Fire

In a stunning revelation, Maimela confirmed that the committee received reports implicating some teachers in the toxic culture at Milnerton High.

“There are rumours that teachers are part of this campaign. Yes, we’ve got the names of these teachers,” she said. “One teacher allegedly told the victim, ‘You deserved what happened to you.’ That is inhumane. No teacher should ever make such an utterance.”

Her comments have struck a chord online, with South Africans expressing disgust at the idea of educators condoning or mocking abuse. One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “If teachers are part of the problem, how can students ever feel safe?” Another said, “Milnerton High must be investigated from top to bottom, not just the learners.”

Learners in Court and Outrage on the Streets

Eight pupils were suspended by the WCED pending disciplinary hearings. Six of them appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Thursday and were released on R2,000 bail each, facing charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The case has been postponed until next year, allowing the learners to write exams under supervision at a separate venue.

Meanwhile, parents’ groups and anti-bullying activists have called for a zero-tolerance policy in schools, arguing that leniency only fuels repeat behaviour. Some civil society organisations are demanding that Milnerton High be placed under independent review.

“No Tolerance, No Excuses”

When asked whether the accused should face expulsion, Maimela was unequivocal. “Most definitely,” she said. “The school has to set an example. There will be no tolerance for this kind of behaviour.”

Her statement echoes a growing sentiment among South Africans that symbolic action apologies, temporary suspensions, or vague promises of reform is no longer enough.

If the committee’s findings are anything to go by, Milnerton High now stands at a crossroads. Either it confronts its internal culture head-on, or it risks becoming a symbol of everything wrong with how South African schools handle violence and privilege.

A Wake-Up Call for the Western Cape

This scandal has done more than just shock the public, it has exposed the deep cracks in school governance, especially when it comes to bullying and mental health.

For too long, schools have relied on outdated policies and a culture of silence. But as this case shows, silence only emboldens bullies and erodes trust.

The question now is whether the Western Cape Education Department and Milnerton High will take this moment to rebuild credibility or continue papering over the problem until the next viral video forces another round of outrage.

Because in a country still healing from its own scars of inequality and violence, the lesson we should be teaching our children is simple: Power doesn’t make you untouchable, it makes you responsible.

{Source: IOL}

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