Eight Milnerton High assault suspects due in court
Dunoon resident Thobeka Pikini speaks on the court appearance of the Milnerton High School pupils who face charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Image: TARA ISAACS
Eight teenage boys, aged between 17 and 18, are expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court today, Thursday, October 23, on charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed the court appearance, which follows the circulation of a viral video showing a Grade 10 pupil being attacked by a group of older pupils at Milnerton High School last week.
The incident, which took place on Thursday, October 17, sparked outrage across Cape Town and led to a protest outside the school on Wednesday, October 22.
Parents, pupils, and members of political parties gathered at the gates, demanding accountability and stronger measures against bullying ("Violence erupts at Milnerton High School," Tabletalk, Wednesday, October 22).
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) earlier confirmed that it was aware of the incident and that an internal investigation was underway, alongside the police probe.
Dunoon resident Thobeka Pikini told Tabletalk on Thursday, October 23, that the arrests and court appearance brought her little to no comfort.
“I feel nothing — there’s nothing new in what’s happening. The boys are appearing just to shift attention from the school. We know how weak the justice system in South Africa is. Those boys could be out anytime,” she said.