Milnerton High Mother Defends Her Son’s Actions, Says: “There Are Two Sides to the Story”

• Outrage continues to grow over a bullying incident at Milnerton High School, which led to the suspension of eight learners
• The mother of one of the accused learners got into a heated argument with other parents outside the school
• One of the learners accused of assaulting a Grade 10 pupil has since come out to address his actions

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

WESTERN CAPE – As outrage continues to grow over the bullying incident at Milnerton High School, a mother of one of the accused learners has come out in defence of her son.

Eight learners were suspended after they allegedly physically assaulted a Grade 10 pupil on 16 October 2025. The matter only came to light after the video of the incident went viral on social media.

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The viral video has sparked outrage nationally, with many calling for the pupils to be punished.

Mother of one accused learner defends her son

As frustrated community members gathered outside the school demanding that the learners be suspended, tensions grew between parents who had differing views of the incident, News24 noted. Police were also called out to the scene to ensure tensions didn't boil over.

"Did you see the video? Is that justifiable? Your son is a criminal," one parent shouted at the mother of one of the accused.

The statement did not sit well with the mother as she replied, while her daughter attempted to pull her away.

"There are two sides to the story," she exclaimed.

Pupil apologises for his actions

While the one parent has come out in defence of her son, one of the learners accused of assaulting the Grade 10 pupil has apologised for his actions.

Taking to Instagram, he named the victim and said that beating him was wrong.

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“I may not be forgiven, but the actions that have been done by me were wrong; I deeply regret them.

“I spoke to his parents, telling them how sorry I am for assaulting him. I deeply apologise to the friends and family of his and all my peers that I've let down,” he said.

What you need to know about the incident:

• The Education Portfolio Committee called for swift and decisive action from all authorities investigating the matter.
• Gayton McKenzie wanted the learners implicated in the incident to be punished so that they would learn a lesson.
• Anele Mdoda weighed in on the viral video, sharing how she would have reacted if it happened to her child.
• A Social Worker shared her thoughts about the precautionary suspension handed down to the implicated learners.
• Police used stun grenades to disperse a crowd protesting outside Milnerton High School in the wake of the incident.

Mother of bullying victim speaks out

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Briefly News reported that the mother of one of the victims of the Milnerton High School bullying incident spoke out.

The boy's mother expressed how traumatised he was and how he did not want to return to the school.

The incident, where more than one learner was assaulted by fellow pupils, has since sparked national outrage.

Proofreading by Roxanne Dos Ramos, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News