Claims emerge that victim had bullied others in Milnerton High case

Allegations of bullying have surfaced against the pupil seen as the victim in the first Milnerton High School video.  

Western Cape Education Department  (WCED) spokesperson Bronagh Hammond confirmed that these allegations are being investigated as part of the school’s disciplinary process, as there are claims that he had previously bullied another pupil. 

This comes after a video circulated on social media showing the same pupil and another boy involved in a fight, shortly before a second video surfaced showing him being assaulted by a group of older boys.

On Thursday, October 23, eight boys aged between 17 and 18 appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (“Eight Milnerton High assault suspects in court,” Tabletalk, Thursday October 24).

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said six of the eight appeared in Court 26, and two in Court 19, as they are juveniles. 

“The six are facing eight counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm,” he said.

He said that the State did not oppose bail, noting that the accused have fixed addresses, no prior convictions, and no pending cases. 

“Bail was set at R2 000 each with strict conditions: they may not contact the complainant or witnesses, must avoid the victim if they encounter him, and are prohibited from entering the school until the case concludes. They were also ordered to hand over their cellphones and PINs to the investigating officer,” he said.

The case was postponed to Tuesday, January 20, next year, to allow the accused to write exams, said  Mr Ntabazalila.

“They will study from home, with the Western Cape Education Department providing an alternative exam venue at the Metro North District Office. The court ordered that their identities not be made public,” he said.

Community members have expressed outrage over how the case has been handled.

Dunoon parent Thobeka Pikini accused the school of shifting blame.

 “Now they want to make the victim look like the problem to cover up bullying incidents at the school. The fight video shows two boys, but the other one (video) is an assault - eight boys against one.”

Ms Pikini also criticised the justice system for allowing the accused to write exams.

“The victim is traumatised and scared to leave home. This could lead to depression. But now his bullies are living life as per normal,” she said.

“As a parent myself, I will never open a case; I will deal with this myself. Next time, we as parents will deal with this and take matters into our own hands.”

Another parent told Tabletalk she fears for her family’s safety after a car nearly rammed into her son while he walked along the pavement on Wednesday, October 22.

Her son is one of the eight accused.

She shared video footage of the incident from a home CCTV camera, where a car speeds up to the pavement, and a teenager can be seen jumping out of the way.

“We fear for our lives and are scared to speak out,” she said.

On Wednesday, October 22, parents, pupils, and political groups protested outside Milnerton High School, demanding accountability ("Violence erupts at Milnerton High School," Tabletalk, Wednesday, October 22).

After discussions with the police, the school's principal, Gert van Tonder, briefly appeared at the school gates flanked by police and law enforcement officers.

His response angered some protesters, who began shouting as he turned his back towards them.

Moments later, protesters pushed against police shields, prompting Public Order Police to use stun grenades to disperse the crowd.