WATCH- Disturbing Video shows Assault at Milnerton High School Prompts Police Probe and Official Investigations

Cape Town, October 21, 2025 – A 16-year-old Grade 10 learner at Milnerton High School in Cape Town was physically and verbally assaulted by a group of older boys on October 16, 2025, shortly after school hours, according to details emerging from a viral social media video and official statements.

The incident, captured on video and shared widely across platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and X, depicts the victim being attacked on school premises while several other learners observed the event, with some reportedly cheering on the perpetrators. The footage shows the group of boys, which includes 18-year-olds from the school's Rugby First Team, surrounding and targeting the younger learner in what authorities have classified as an assault bordering on a criminal offense.

The victim's mother has stated that the assault was not an isolated event but part of a pattern of bullying, physical attacks, harassment, and emotional abuse inflicted by the same group of boys over an extended period. She reported these issues to the school administration on multiple occasions prior to the October 16 incident, alleging that no adequate intervention or protective measures were taken to safeguard her son despite these prior notifications.

Milnerton High School became aware of the video on October 17, 2025, the day following the assault. In response, the school promptly notified the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) and initiated its own internal investigation, which includes conducting interviews with involved parties. School officials have indicated that disciplinary proceedings will commence once the inquiry concludes, in line with established protocols. The institution has chosen not to provide further comments to media inquiries at this stage.

The WCED has confirmed its involvement since receiving the school's report on October 17. Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond stated that counseling services have been extended to all affected learners, including the victim and witnesses, to address the immediate emotional impacts. Additionally, the WCED has requested that the public refrain from disseminating the video further on social media platforms, citing concerns over the exacerbation of trauma and violations of the minors' rights to dignity and privacy. Individuals encountering the footage are encouraged to report it as harmful content to platform moderators.

Law enforcement authorities have also launched a formal probe into the matter. Milnerton police opened a criminal docket on charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm involving the 16-year-old learner at the secondary school. Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the October 16 assault, though no arrests have been effected as of October 21. The case remains under active investigation, with updates to be provided as developments occur.

At the national level, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Ms. Joy Maimela, issued a statement on October 21, 2025, acknowledging the video's circulation and expressing concern over the depicted events. The statement, released by Parliamentary Communication Services, notes that the assault involved physical and verbal attacks on the Grade 10 learner by the group, observed by bystanders. Ms. Maimela has directed the WCED to intervene urgently and furnish a report to the committee on the steps taken.

The video first gained public attention through a Facebook post by United Democratic Movement (UDM) member Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, who shared it alongside the victim's mother's detailed account. Kwankwa's post highlighted the school's alleged inaction on previous complaints and outlined the UDM's commitment to pursuing accountability in the case. Since its upload, the footage has spread rapidly, amassing views and shares across multiple social media networks.

Milnerton High School, located in the Milnerton suburb of Cape Town, serves a diverse student body and is known for its sports programs, including rugby. The involvement of members from the Rugby First Team in the incident has drawn particular scrutiny to the school's oversight of extracurricular activities. As investigations proceed, both at the school and police levels, further details regarding the perpetrators' identities and any prior disciplinary records are expected to surface, though no such information has been disclosed publicly to date.

This event unfolds amid broader discussions on school safety in South African educational institutions, where reported bullying incidents have prompted reviews of anti-bullying policies mandated by the Department of Basic Education. The ongoing probes aim to establish a timeline of events and ensure appropriate measures are implemented to prevent recurrence.