Video footage allegedly showing a girl being slapped and harassed by a group of high school boys in Mdantsane has sparked outrage, prompting the Eastern Cape government to intervene and launch an investigation into what officials say may be a pattern of bullying and misconduct.
The incident, filmed by fellow pupils and shared widely on social media, allegedly shows the 18-year-old being followed off a school bus, slapped in the face and chased by at least five boys while others laugh.
A second video shows the teenager in tears as two boys allegedly slap her again while classmates cheer them on.
The disturbing incident on Thursday in Chicken Farm, outside Mdantsane, has been condemned by parents, community groups and the provincial government.
The names of the pupils and school are known to the Dispatch but have been withheld to protect the victim.
On Friday the school summoned the girl’s parents and those of the boys involved.
A member of the school governing body (SGB) said the boys had previously faced complaints, including allegations of being caught with alcohol on school premises. According to the SGB member, the attack appears to have been alleged retaliation after the girl reported the group, alleging they damaged a school fence while chasing a bus.
“The girl is a good girl,” the SGB member said. “From the time she reported the boys to the principal, she became a target. Her dignity has been dragged to the ground.”
The school has advised the girl to take a break from classes.
“Her mother came to the school on Friday and was visibly distraught. Not all the boys’ parents showed up. The boys face another case because their group faces allegations of having alcohol inside the school.”
The school’s management declined to comment.
On Sunday the girl’s mother said she had registered an assault complaint with police against the group. “I want them to be arrested,” she said.
She said her daughter was in tears when she returned home after the attack, accompanied by her younger sibling who attends the same school.
“She told me what had happened, and I went outside to look for the child who took the video. After I saw it, I posted it to the Biko Park (Chicken Farm) WhatsApp group and went to all the boys’ houses and told their parents.
“They apologised, but I went to the Scenery Park police station to open a case. The police van went to their houses yesterday [Saturday] but could not find them.”
She said only one of the parents of the five boys went to the school when summoned.
She said her daughter had her she was coping. “She had a headache on Friday and the principal took her to a doctor. She says she is fine, but I don’t know.”
On Saturday, Eastern Cape social development MEC Bukiwe Fanta visited the girl’s family and promised to provide counselling support, adding broader anti-bullying programmes would be implemented at schools in the province.
“Bullying is not only a school issue, it is a societal problem that requires our collective action,” Fanta said. “We must educate our children about respect empathy and the consequences of their actions.”
She said new workshops and support systems would be developed with schools, parents and community organisations.
“We must unite as a community to ensure our children are protected and supported,” Fanta said.
“We will be working closely with schools, parents and community organisations to develop workshops and support systems that address bullying and its effects. It is essential we equip our children with the tools they need to navigate the challenges and to understand the importance of standing up against bullying.”
Fanta called on scholar transport drivers to ensure the safety of pupils and intervene when they witness bullying. She urged the community to rally around the girl and other victims of bullying.
“Let us show our support and stand together against bullying. We must create an environment where every child feels safe, valued and empowered. Let us work towards a future where bullying is not tolerated and every young person can thrive.”
The victim’s mother expressed the family’s gratitude for the support they had received. “It means a lot to me. I hope by speaking out we can help others who are going through similar situations,” she said.
Eastern Cape education department spokesperson Vuyiseka Mboxeka confirmed officials would visit the school on Monday. She said the incident reflected a “deep societal problem” and urged parents to become more involved in their children’s lives.
“The department does not tolerate any form of bullying at its schools will make sure that the affected pupil receives the needed psychosocial support,” Mboxeka said.
Members of Mdantsane’s anti-crime forum visited the school on Friday to demand answers. Organiser Siyabulela Khali said a community march to the school was planned for Monday.
A voice note circulating in the school’s parent WhatsApp group, reportedly from the local taxi association, said the bus driver who witnessed the incident was extremely upset but felt powerless to intervene.
“He said he was devastated by the incident because it happened in front of him. He said he could not hit the children out of fear of their parents, but he did not like it.”
Anele Gcilitshana, a project leader at Bumbingomso, a nonprofit organisation that has run anti-bullying campaigns in Mdantsane schools, said the complainant and the perpetrators may need counselling.
“A bullied child’s self-esteem and self-worth can be eroded, which leads to trauma, anxiety and depression,” she said. “The bullies can experience a drop in academic performance or drop out of school because of the consequences of their actions.”
Gcilitshana said some bullies acted out due to trauma at home or unresolved emotional problems. “Our support centres cater for the bullied and bullies,” she said. “Sometimes bullies themselves need help.”
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