Parliament Calls Out Milnerton High for Failing Learners After Brutal Bullying Incident

Parliament Calls Out Milnerton High for Failing Learners After Brutal Bullying Incident

The fallout from a shocking bullying video at Milnerton High School has taken a serious turn and Parliament isn’t holding back. Lawmakers have slammed the school for failing to have a formal anti-bullying policy, calling the leadership’s inaction “deeply concerning” and symptomatic of a broader problem in South African schools.

A Viral Assault and a School Under Fire

The uproar began after a video showing a 16-year-old Grade 10 learner being assaulted by several boys went viral. Six pupils were later arrested and charged with assault before the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court, where they were released on R2,000 bail each.

When Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Basic Education conducted an oversight visit to the school last Friday, members were stunned to learn that no official anti-bullying policy existed.

Committee chairperson Joy Maimela said that when the principal was asked to produce the policy, he failed to do so. “The school’s code of conduct only mentions bullying in passing, with no actionable plan to address it,” Maimela said.

She added that the school must urgently develop a policy and investigate possible links between bullying and the culture within its first rugby team, which has come under scrutiny for fostering toxic behavior.

Victim’s Family Left in the Dark

For the victim and his family, the aftermath has been traumatic. Parents for Equal Education founder Vanessa Le Roux, who has been supporting the family, said they were left “heartbroken and angry” after learning that the school had not even reached out following the assault.

“They only contacted the parents when they found out Parliament was coming,” Le Roux revealed. “There was no counselling for the boy or his mother, we had to step in and arrange that ourselves.”

According to Le Roux, the boy is still struggling emotionally and refuses to return to school. “He’s not doing well. He’s scared, anxious, and feels completely let down,” she said.

She has called for a national school safety summit involving all stakeholders, including parents, teachers, learners, and community leaders. “We need tangible solutions. Policies are not enough if schools fail to protect children,” she added.

Department Steps In

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has confirmed that Milnerton High is now developing an official anti-bullying strategy.

“The school acknowledged that it included anti-bullying references in its code of conduct but admitted the need for a standalone policy,” said WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond.

Hammond said the department would guide the school through this process, emphasizing that the School Governing Body had already begun consulting on a broader safety and discipline plan. This includes exploring partnerships with NGOs and restorative education experts to build a culture of empathy and non-violence.

Once the disciplinary hearing concludes, the school may recommend expulsion for those involved. The WCED’s Head of Department will then decide whether to uphold or dismiss the recommendation.

The Bigger Picture: A National Bullying Crisis

While Milnerton High faces public outrage, anti-bullying advocates say the issue extends far beyond one school.

According to the 1000 Women Trust, more than 57% of South African learners experience bullying in their lifetime. Yet, the organization’s research found that only half of the schools surveyed had anti-bullying policies, and just 81 schools were able to share them.

“Even those with policies lack restorative practices to help victims and rehabilitate perpetrators,” said Tina Thiart, co-founder of the 1000 Women Trust. “This is a systemic failure, we’re leaving children unprotected.”

The Trust, which runs free WhatsApp-based anti-bullying training for schools and parents, is urging communities to get involved. “It’s everyone’s responsibility to make schools safe,” Thiart said.

A Wake-Up Call for All Schools

Milnerton High’s failure to produce a basic anti-bullying policy has become a symbol of how slow many schools are to adapt to South Africa’s escalating bullying crisis.

Parliament’s intervention, along with investigations from the South African Human Rights Commission and the WCED, may finally push change, but for the victims already scarred, it’s a painful reminder of how institutions can fail those they’re meant to protect.

As Joy Maimela put it during Friday’s meeting:

“Schools must not only teach academic lessons. They must also teach humanity.”