Education Activist Implicates Teachers in Milnerton Bullying Scandal, Sparks Mixed Reactions Online
- Education activist Vanessa Le Roux spoke to the media about the Milnerton bullying scandal
- Le Roux, who is a spokesperson for the victim, made allegations about some of the teachers as well
- South Africans took to social media to debate the latest claims about the now-viral incident
- Briefly News spoke to Dr Shaheda Omar, the Clinical Director for the Teddy Bear Foundation, about the incident
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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 – An education activist has claimed that teachers are also implicated in the bullying at Milnerton High School.
The school has been in the headlines following a viral video which depicted a group of learners assaulting a Grade 10 pupil. The incident reportedly happened on 16 October 2025, but only made headlines when the video surfaced.
Education activist alleged that teachers knew about bullying
With angry South Africans calling for tough action to be taken against the eight learners implicated in the incident, education activist Vanessa Le Roux claimed that teachers weren’t innocent either.
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Speaking to the media outside the school on 23 October 2025, Le Roux, who is a spokesperson for the mother of the Grade 10 learner, said that teachers were also implicated. Le Roux, who is the founder of Parents for Equal Education South Africa (PEESA), claimed that one of the teachers even told the victim that he “deserved what happened to him.”
Source: Twitter
Le Roux discusses the existence of other videos
Le Roux also touched on claims that the victim was actually a bully himself, as other clips have since surfaced, allegedly showing him interfering with other learners. She said that they had since the full video, and not just specific clips, and it showed that he was actually defending himself. Le Roux said that other clips were being released to put out a narrative to victimise the victim.
You can watch her full statement below.
Briefly News contacted Milnerton High School for comment, but had not received a response by the time of publication.
Dr Shaheda Omar addresses Milnerton saga
Speaking exclusively to Briefly News, Dr Shaheda Omar, the Clinical Director for the Teddy Bear Foundation, addressed how parents and teachers could tackle bullying in schools.
Dr Omar said that one of the ways was through early education and emotional literacy.
"One has to teach empathy, respect, and emotional regulation from an early age. From the time a child develops a vocabulary, start speaking to the child about rights, responsibilities, as well as safe and unsafe touches," she noted.
She added that there also needed to be strong engagement between home and school, so there was communication between teachers and parents about such issues.
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.
- 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.
- Six of the eight learners who were arrested for the alleged assault appeared in court and were granted bail.
South Africans debate the latest allegations
Le Roux’s claims sparked mixed reactions online, as social media users shared differing thoughts.
Cheran Armstrong commented:
“Yes, I saw the video of the victim in a fight as well. Not that I condone any violence in any form, but that was one versus one with no weapons. Not one versus eight with dangerous weapons. No justification for the bullies. Too much anger in these young kids.”
Aubernetha Fortuin asked:
“How on earth can the principal call his teachers to order if he is also out of order?”
Ashleen Festers added:
“I also saw the whole video where he defended himself.”
Denita asked:
“Why did the mother not go to the school? If it were my child, I would be there in a flash.”
Jo Van Zyl stated:
“The victim, from what I understood, was also fighting on another video. Bullies are everywhere. Some teachers are also bullies, and no one should be bullied. This is a deeper problem. There is too much anger in kids. We should have anger management classes.”
Ntandokazi Cenge exclaimed:
“Yho, what kind of school is this?”
Sunette Petersen stated:
“Utterly disgusting. Those teachers must be held accountable, plus the principal.”
Diane Ferraris said:
“If the teachers were implicated, name and shame. Or are you scared of the consequences? It’s easy to make accusations.”
Mother of alleged bully defends her son
Briefly News reported that the mother of one Milnerton High School learner came out in defence of her son.
The mother claimed that there were two sides to the story, after angry parents called for action to be taken.
Eight learners have been charged after a viral video showed them assaulting a Grade 10 pupil.
Proofreading by Roxanne Dos Ramos, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
