A violent assault at Milnerton High School in Cape Town has caused widespread outrage after a video surfaced showing a 16-year-old boy, who recently survived cancer, being beaten by a group of senior pupils.
The incident, which allegedly took place on the school’s premises, has prompted investigations by both the Western Cape Education Department and police.
According to News24, the victim was one of nine pupils attacked by older students who reportedly used belts, hosepipes, hockey sticks and wooden rods during the assault.
In the footage, the boy can be heard pleading for the beating to stop as onlookers record the incident on their phones. The video has since gone viral, drawing condemnation from parents, activists, and government officials.
The victim’s mother told News24 that her son, who completed chemotherapy in January, had begged to be homeschooled after the attack. “My child had just beaten cancer — for something like this to happen to him is devastating,” she said.
“He didn’t want me to find out and asked if he could be homeschooled.”
Parents of the affected pupils gathered outside the school earlier this week demanding the immediate suspension of the alleged perpetrators. Tensions flared when the mother of one of the accused boys confronted other parents, leading to police and metro police being called to restore order.
Members of the South African National Civic Organisation also joined the demonstration, threatening further protests if decisive action was not taken.
The mother of the 16-year-old said the assault stemmed from a trivial exchange in class. One of the boys reportedly answered a question about the kind of woman he wanted to marry by saying, “a woman of God,” which led to laughter from other pupils. Later that day, a group of seniors allegedly decided to “discipline” the boys, resulting in the violent beating.
The Western Cape Education Department confirmed that the school became aware of the incident on 17 October and immediately launched an internal investigation.
Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said interviews with those involved were underway and counselling support had been offered to all affected learners. She also urged the public not to circulate the video as it involves minors.
Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Joy Maimela, condemned the violence, saying:
“This behaviour is not merely bullying — it borders on assault, a criminal offence that demands urgent and decisive action.”
Advocacy group Families Against Child Sexual Abuse (FACSA) also called for accountability, urging the department to act swiftly.
“The learners involved must be immediately suspended pending investigation — no excuses, no delays,” the organisation said in a statement.
“Bullying is not a lesson in discipline; it is abuse and violence in uniform.”
Police have confirmed that a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm has been opened.
At least one of the alleged attackers has since posted an apology on social media, expressing remorse and claiming to have spoken with the victim’s family.
