A brutal assault involving learners at Milnerton High School has ignited widespread anger and concern, after footage of the attack circulated rapidly across social media platforms. Recorded in October 2025, the video shows a learner being set upon by a group of fellow pupils, an act that many parents and community members described as horrifying and unacceptable. The incident quickly moved beyond the confines of the school, fuelling urgent calls for decisive action against bullying and violence in educational spaces.
The public nature of the footage placed intense scrutiny on school leadership and education authorities, with questions raised about learner safety and the effectiveness of existing disciplinary measures. For many families, the incident reopened fears about the vulnerability of children within school environments, particularly when violence occurs in groups and is captured and shared online without restraint.
School Governing Body Recommends Expulsions
In response, Milnerton High School initiated a formal disciplinary process that culminated in the recommendation to expel six learners implicated in the assault. The matter was escalated to the Western Cape Education Department, which reviewed the findings and endorsed the outcome. The expulsions were positioned as a firm response aimed at reinforcing behavioural standards and restoring confidence in the school’s ability to manage serious misconduct.
WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond confirmed the department’s stance, noting that the decision followed established procedures and careful consideration.
The Head of Department has upheld the recommendation by the school governing body of Milnerton High School to expel six learners from the school following the outcome of the disciplinary processes.
Final Year Learners Among Those Removed
The severity of the disciplinary action was amplified by the revelation that most of the expelled learners were nearing the end of their schooling. According to the department, five of the six learners were in Grade 12, with the remaining learner in Grade 10. The expulsions have effectively altered their educational trajectories, raising difficult questions about accountability, rehabilitation, and the long term consequences of violent behaviour at school level.
For parents and educators alike, the presence of matric pupils among those expelled highlighted the risks of allowing unchecked aggression to persist. It also intensified debate about whether intervention mechanisms are being deployed early enough to prevent such incidents from escalating to the point where expulsion becomes the only remaining option.
Criminal Cases Run Parallel To School Action
Beyond the school’s disciplinary measures, the incident has also drawn in the criminal justice system. Eight learners connected to the assault are facing charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. This dual process, disciplinary and criminal, reflects a broader shift toward treating extreme school violence as a matter of public safety rather than internal misconduct alone.
Six adults accused in the case have appeared in Court 26 at the Cape Town Magistrates Court, while two juveniles are being handled through separate procedures. The parallel legal action has reinforced the seriousness of the incident, signalling that age and school status do not shield individuals from legal accountability when violence crosses a critical threshold.
Case Postponed As Investigation Continues
The National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed that the accused were released on bail and warned, citing mitigating factors presented to the court. NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila outlined the reasoning behind the bail decision.
They were released on bail and warned as they had fixed addresses, no previous convictions, no warrants of arrests or pending cases.
The matter has been postponed to March to allow investigators to complete outstanding tasks, including consultations with victims and the processing of photographic evidence. As the case progresses, the expulsions at Milnerton High remain a defining moment for the school community, reflecting a hard line response to violence that has left an indelible mark on learners, families, and the wider public.
