Milnerton High School bullying protests lead to police intervention with stun grenades

As fresh, disturbing video footage of alleged bullying at Milnerton High School surfaces on social media, involving the same group of boys which sparked a national outcry and another believed to be that of the victim behind an alleged attack, protest action outside of the school saw police using stun grenades and teargas.

The new videos were circulated just as the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) confirmed that eight learners from the school received precautionary suspension letters and would face disciplinary hearings in the coming days. 

According to the Cape Argus' sister newspaper, the Weekend Argus, the latest footage allegedly involves the same group of boys from the previous viral video.

The new clips, brought to the attention of the WCED on Wednesday, shows one boy striking another learner. A second video appears to depict a boy hitting a girl across the face. WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond confirmed the videos were forwarded to the school and will be included in their ongoing investigation.

Another video which also went viral late on Wednesday, apparently shows the victim allegedly fighting with a fellow learner.

The authenticity of the content could not be confirmed as the boy's mother, who had been contacted by the Cape Argus, was not available for comment.

Dozens of protesters including members of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) gathered at the school’s gates.

What began as a peaceful demonstration quickly descended into chaos when police moved in to disperse the crowd. Stun grenades were fired after tensions flared as the school principal attempted to address the demonstrators.

One of the protestors told the Cape Argus that they were not violent; 'We have the right to be here, if there is abusive children in the school, we have the right to say something, we were peaceful, there was no violence and the SAPS decided to throw (stun) grenades, this is not a country where you throw grenades at people." 

Police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg said no one was injured during the action taken: “Public Order Police took action at a crowd of approximately 150 protesters. The participants became riotous at the secondary school and police used stun grenades to disperse the crowd."

While the mother also told other news agencies that her son had completed chemotherapy and was a cancer survivor.

Hammond confirmed the eight learners received precautionary suspension letters and would face disciplinary hearings.

“Following the initial findings, the School Governing Body approved the precautionary suspension of eight learners. This decision was taken to ensure a fair and transparent disciplinary process while prioritising the safety and wellbeing of all learners at the school.”

Twigg also confirmed that a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm has been opened following the first video, and that no arrests were made.

ANCYL provincial coordinator Xola Booi said those implicated should face the law: “Those over the age of 18 must be sent to jail, and those who are underage must be sent to Bosasa."

EFF provincial convener Sima Mtheli welcomed the suspensions but said the bullying pointed to a deeper problem that the school had failed to address.

Meanwhile, the brother of one of the alleged victims, also a 16-year-old learner, claimed that at least nine pupils had been victims of similar abuse at the school.

“The nine families have been met with a nonchalant response to the matter,” he said. “As a minor, my brother doesn’t deserve what’s happening. We don’t know how much it has affected him or how it will affect his academics going forward.”

He said his brother had represented the school with pride both in sport and in the classroom, and that the institution had failed in its duty to protect him.

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