‘The school did nothing’: Parents slam Milnerton High over viral bullying assault

Tensions erupted outside Milnerton High School on Wednesday morning as police resorted to firing stun grenades to disperse a volatile crowd of parents, political activists, and community members clamouring for justice.

Their anger was sparked by a harrowing incident involving a 16-year-old Grade 10 learner who was brutally assaulted by his peers in a bullying incident recorded and circulated on social media.

The video, which emerged on October 16, captures the distressing scene of the boy being slapped, punched, and humiliated by a group of students, who are allegedly members of the school’s First Team Rugby squad.

The shocking footage has since elicited national outrage and raised serious allegations of systemic bullying, intimidation, and racial discrimination within the institution.

In response to escalating public concern, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) announced the precautionary suspension of eight students involved, all of whom are set to face impending disciplinary hearings.

Additionally, police confirmed that a case of assault has been opened in light of the incident.

Despite the unfolding crisis, there have been frustrations voiced regarding the lack of engagement from the school’s leadership.

According to reports, a representative of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) attempted to initiate dialogue with the principal concerning the way forward but was met with reluctance; he reportedly insisted on paperwork and exited the conversation. Subsequently, tensions flared, leading to a police intervention that resulted in clashes.

Protesters shared chilling testimonies about ongoing bullying at Milnerton High. One mother recounted her own son's torment, stating, “A learner smacked him in the face — it was recorded, it was a set-up, and the school did nothing. Another time, a parent nearly pulled a gun on him.”

She stressed that the school prioritises its star athletes, claiming that the misconduct and violent initiation rituals involving rugby players have been common knowledge for years.

Relatives of the victim echoed her sentiments, revealing that bullying had been a longstanding issue, with one cousin stating, “They’ve been bullying him and his friends the whole year”, while another family member asserted, “The school knew. Teachers knew.”

A friend of the victim raised concerns about the culture of silence surrounding the bullying issue, recalling, “If you report it, they make your life hell. They call you a snitch. Teachers just tell you to ‘sort it out’.” The distressing atmosphere has left many students feeling unsafe; “We’re scared to come to school,” he stated.

Adding a deeply personal dimension to the story, a colleague of the victim's mother revealed that the boy has a challenging health history, having spent four months in hospital battling cancer. “This is not just bullying, this is cruelty,” he said, voicing the collective anguish of those who know the victim.

In the wake of the protests, the People’s Movement for Change (PMC) has also joined the calls for accountability, demanding criminal charges for the attackers and stringent actions against the school’s management, claiming that the incident is a crime rather than a mere schoolyard spat. In a statement, the PMC labelled the response from Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier as a “failure of leadership,” demanding a definitive stance and immediate action.

As the protests continued, the principal has remained notably absent from public discourse, with protesters claiming he has been hiding “behind locked gates.” The atmosphere outside Milnerton High School serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for changes in addressing bullying and ensuring the safety of students. Without accountability and action, parents and community members fear that the cycle of violence and intimidation will only persist.

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