Authorities in Cape Town have suspended eight students from Milnerton High School following a violent bullying incident that has sparked nationwide concern.
A video circulating online shows several boys repeatedly attacking a fellow student using a hockey stick, hose pipe, and a belt. Reports indicate that the victim was among nine pupils targeted in the assault.
The incident triggered protests on Wednesday as parents gathered outside the school. Police intervened and used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Representatives from political parties also joined, announcing plans for further demonstrations to demand accountability.
Bullying in South African schools has been a persistent problem, with violent videos often spreading widely on social media. This latest footage has been described as one of the most shocking in recent years.
The mother of the 16-year-old victim, who successfully completed chemotherapy earlier this year, spoke to News24 about her distress. "My child had just beaten cancer [only] for something like this to happen to him," she said. The boy has since been withdrawn from the school, confirmed his uncle in an interview with eNCA.
The attack, which took place on 16 October, has drawn condemnation from several organizations. The police have confirmed that they have opened an assault case. Amnesty International South Africa described the video as "deeply disturbing" and called for "timely disciplinary action."
The two-minute clip shows the victim begging for the assault to stop, while one attacker continues to hit him with a belt. Some of the other pupils are seen laughing, cheering, and making faces at him as the camera pans across the room.
"No child should ever endure such brutality in a space where [pupils] should be safe and protected from harm," Amnesty International said on X.
South Africa’s national education ministry confirmed ongoing communication with the Western Cape education department, which oversees the school. The suspended students are expected to face strict disciplinary measures. The provincial department stated that it is "treating the matter with the seriousness it warrants."
Officials have urged the public to avoid sharing the video or identifying those involved, noting that this "not only exacerbates the trauma experienced by the victim but also undermines the rights and dignity of all the [pupils] involved."
Joy Maimela, chairperson of parliament’s education committee, called the video "shocking and deeply concerning." She added, "This is not merely bullying but borders on assault – a criminal offence that demands urgent and decisive action from all relevant authorities."
