Bail granted to Milnerton High learners amid bullying probe involving the victim
A heavy police presence outside Milnerton High School.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane
Six learners aged 18 from Milnerton High school have been granted R2000 bail each and two minors released on warning following the bullying video which sparked outcry. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) confirmed the victim was also under investigation for similar allegations and faces a disciplinary process.
They were granted R2000 bail each at the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court on Thursday with strict conditions being imposed, aimed at keeping them away from both the complainants and the school grounds.
The state did not oppose their release.
Meanwhile a heavy police presence at the school saw police tape prohibiting the public from entering while the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education visited to discuss the incident with role players and the parents of the victim.
A still from a video where the pupil is being beaten by his peers.
Image: FACEBOOK
It was further revealed that the case now involves eight complainants.
Both minors were released on a warning, in the care of their parents while one was assessed and the other today.
The accused face eight counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, following the circulation of the disturbing video that allegedly shows a fellow pupil aged 16 in Grade 10 being assaulted.
The court ruled that the identities of the accused may not be published, including their names, photos, or addresses, nor those of their families. Relatives filled the public gallery but declined to speak to the media as proceedings got underway, with several appearing visibly emotional.
According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila the bail conditions include a strict exclusion zone around Milnerton High. “They are prohibited from entering the school yard or the school until the case is finalised,” he said. “If they see the complainants, they must walk in a different direction.”
The court further ordered the accused to hand over their cellphones and PINs to the investigating officer. “One cellphone and pin is outstanding and must be submitted to the investigating officer within 24 hours and must not be involved in any criminal activity,” Ntabazalila added.
The WCED confirmed that while the learners’ precautionary suspensions were due to end on Thursday, they will not return to school. “We have received a directive from the WCED that they will be providing an alternative venue for the learners to write their exams. They will have to study at home,” said Ntabazalila.
The case has been postponed until January 20 to give the accused time to prepare for their final exams.
The boy’s mother said her son was anxious as the accused learners had attended school prior to their court appearance and that he did not attend school on Wednesday, calling for justice.
Allegations on social media were made that the victim is a “known bully” with the WCED confirming they were investigating the claims with a disciplinary process.
More videos of bullying also surfaced this week.
Bronagh Hammond spokesperson for the WCED explained: “The WCED is aware of two other videos that have surfaced showing abuse of learners by some of the learners implicated in the first video.
“These videos have been sent to the school for their attention. The school has confirmed that they will be included in their current investigation.
“Other victims have come forward and the cases are being investigated by the school disciplinary committee and will be addressed through the disciplinary hearings.
“There have been allegations of bullying raised against the ‘victim’ in the first video, indicating that he had bullied another learner previously, which is also being investigated and is part of the disciplinary process.”
When the Cape Argus’ sister newspaper, the Daily Voice reached out to the family of the boy to ask if they are aware of the bullying allegations made against him, his uncle claimed that those allegations are “not true”.
Following the meeting with the Committee, its chairperson said there are discrepancies in the Education Department’s claims, while the department said psychosocial support was provided.
The committee found that no adequate support was actually given to affected learners.
Vanessa Le Roux, founder of Parents for Equal Education said she was aware of the allegations that the victim was accused of bullying but added he was defending himself, in a video shared. "In both instances, that child is defending himself because the mother said, you have reported it, they have done nothing, from now on you defend yourself and any mother would say that, what you saw was a snippet, we saw the whole video."
Following the outcry, a protest took place outside the school on Wednesday which included members of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF, the Public Order police took action against the 150 strong crowd with teargas and stun grenades with no one being wounded.