Ofure Akhigbe
Parents and political activists protested outside Milnerton High School on Wednesday, October 22, after a video showing a violent classroom assault surfaced online, accusing the school of failing to protect its pupils. Police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the crowd after tensions flared.
The footage, recorded last week, shows several boys repeatedly hitting a classmate with a belt, a hosepipe, and a hockey stick while others laugh and film the attack. The victim, a 16-year-old who recently completed cancer treatment, can be heard pleading for the beating to stop.
Eight students have since been suspended over the incident, which has drawn widespread condemnation across South Africa.
The boy’s mother told local media that her son had “just beaten cancer” before suffering the attack. His uncle confirmed to broadcaster eNCA that he has been withdrawn from the school for safety reasons.
Amnesty International South Africa described the video as “deeply disturbing” and called for swift disciplinary and legal action. The Education Ministry said it is working with the Western Cape Education Department to investigate the incident and ensure accountability.
Authorities and rights groups have urged the public not to share the footage, warning that doing so deepens the victim’s trauma and violates the rights of minors involved.