Milnerton High Bullying Scandal Sparks National Outrage and Calls for Accountability

Milnerton High in the Spotlight After Shocking Bullying Video Goes Viral

South Africans are reeling in disbelief after a disturbing video from Milnerton High School in Cape Town surfaced online, showing a group of boys violently assaulting a fellow pupil. The footage, which quickly spread across social media, has ignited national outrage and renewed debates about school violence and accountability in South Africa’s education system.

In the viral clip, several schoolboys dressed in uniform are seen laughing and taking turns to hit a 16-year-old classmate with a belt and hockey stick. The assault, allegedly taking place inside a school locker room, unfolds amid blaring music and mocking laughter.

According to Sergeant Wesley Twigg of the Milnerton police, the incident occurred on 16 October 2025 at around 14:40. He confirmed that police are investigating a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH). “The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation, and no arrests have been made yet,” Twigg said.

“An Initiation Gone Wrong”, UDM Demands Justice

While the video shows one victim, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) claims that up to ten Grade 10 pupils were attacked by a group of Grade 11 boys, allegedly members of the school’s first-team rugby squad. The assault has been described as part of an “initiation ritual” gone too far.

“Reports indicate that the victims were struck with various objects, including hockey sticks, during this so-called initiation,” said the UDM in a statement. One learner reportedly required medical treatment, while others remain traumatized and fearful after receiving threats from the alleged perpetrators.

UDM deputy president Nqabayomzi Kwankwa has since met with Western Cape MEC for Education David Manier, who confirmed that disciplinary measures are being implemented. Kwankwa is also expected to meet the parents of the affected pupils to discuss their next steps.

Parliament and the Public Respond with Outrage

The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has strongly condemned the incident. Committee chairperson Joy Maimela described the video as “utterly horrifying,” adding that what occurred “is not merely bullying but criminal assault.”

She called on the Western Cape education department to intervene urgently and to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable. “Schools must be safe spaces for learning and growth, not fear and humiliation,” Maimela said.

The committee also reminded schools that the Department of Basic Education requires comprehensive anti-bullying policiesa reminder that many parents say is not enough without enforcement.

Community and Advocacy Groups Demand Accountability

Anti-crime organisation Fight Against Crime SA (FACSA) called for immediate suspension of all pupils involved, pending further investigation. The group also demanded that school management and the governing body be held responsible for “a disgraceful failure of duty.”

“Bullying is not a lesson in discipline. It’s abuse, humiliation, and violence in uniform,” FACSA said. “That such conduct can occur under the watch of educators is deeply disturbing.”

FACSA has urged government leaders to intervene decisively, warning that failure to act will send a dangerous message to other schools battling similar issues.

A Community’s Breaking Point

The Milnerton High incident has struck a nerve nationwide, especially among parents and former students who say school bullying is often ignored until tragedy strikes. On social media, hashtags like #JusticeForMilnertonLearners and #EndSchoolViolence have been trending, with thousands demanding systemic change.

One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, “If this is how our schools ‘build character,’ then something is broken at the core. These are not boys being boys this is criminal.”

Others have called for mental health support for both victims and witnesses, noting that the trauma from such assaults often lingers long after the headlines fade.

This is not the first time a South African school has made headlines for violent behaviour among students. Over the past few years, multiple provinces have seen cases of initiation rituals, classroom assaults, and online bullying, highlighting a growing culture of aggression within schools.

Experts say the issue goes beyond discipline, it speaks to a deeper societal crisis where violence has become normalized. Without consistent enforcement of school safety policies, young learners are left to navigate unsafe environments meant to protect and empower them.

For now, Milnerton High School remains under investigation, its reputation tarnished and its community shaken. But as outrage turns into action, South Africans are once again asking: when will schools finally become safe for every child?

{Source: The Citizen}

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