Milnerton High School has issued a public statement reaffirming its commitment to safety, respect, and non-violence following a disturbing incident of assault involving several of its learners — a case that has sparked widespread concern.
The statement, released on Monday 27 October by principal Gert JP van Tonder and School Governing Body (SGB) chair Roger Bezuidenhout, comes after a video circulated on social media showing a group of older learners physically assaulting a younger learner on the school premises. The incident has drawn sharp criticism and prompted both internal disciplinary proceedings and a police investigation, as confirmed by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) last week.
In their message to parents and the broader community, the school’s leadership described the video as “shocking and distressing for the entire community.”
“This is not who we are,” the statement reads. “What we stand for is clearly expressed in our vision and mission, which calls on us to nurture a community of integrity, care, and excellence. The violence we have witnessed violates these core values and has understandably shaken confidence in the safety of our learning environment.”
The school said it was addressing the incident with “the utmost seriousness, compassion, and care”, adding that further footage and reports of related behaviour had since emerged and were being investigated.
“No effort is being spared to ensure that appropriate action is taken to hold those responsible accountable, while protecting the rights, safety, and well-being of all affected learners,” the statement continued.
Restoring trust and safety
The school’s leadership acknowledged that rebuilding trust will take time and consistent action. Plans are underway to implement a comprehensive safety and behavioural response plan, which will include collaboration with external experts, WCED specialists, and organisations focused on restorative education and conflict resolution.
The school is also exploring an anonymous digital reporting tool to allow learners to safely raise concerns about bullying or harmful behaviour without fear of reprisal.
“Every learner deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported at school,” the statement said. “Fear and violence have no place at Milnerton High.”
Support and community engagement
Counselling and psychosocial support have been made available for learners affected directly or indirectly by the incident, while additional security measures remain in place to ensure the safety of all learners during the matric examinations.
The statement also commended those who have protested peacefully and engaged constructively with the school community in the wake of the assault.
“We respect the right of all South Africans to protest peacefully. We appreciate the constructive, disciplined, and respectful engagements shown by those standing in solidarity against violence and bullying,” van Tonder and Bezuidenhout said.
Looking ahead
The school assured parents and the community that it remains in close communication with the relevant authorities, including the police and the WCED, to ensure that its response remains fair, transparent, and accountable.
“We understand that words alone cannot undo the harm or restore trust,” the statement concluded. “Together, as parents, educators, and learners, we will build a culture defined by kindness, respect, and integrity.”
