Bullied schoolgirl ‘targeted for reporting boys to principal’

Video footage showing a girl being slapped and harassed by a group of high school boys in Mdantsane has sparked outrage, prompting the provincial government to intervene, including launching 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, 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 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, along with 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 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 class.

“Her mother came to the school on Friday and was visibly distraught. Not all the boys’ parents showed up.

“The boys also have 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 reported an assault complaint to the 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 still 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 school when summoned.

She said her daughter had told 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 that broader anti-bullying programmes would be implemented at schools in the province.

“Bullying is not just 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 that 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 that we equip our children with the tools they need to navigate these challenges and to understand the importance of standing up against bullying,” she said.

Fanta called on scholar transport drivers to ensure the safety of pupils and intervene when they witnessed 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 that 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 ... [and] will make sure that the affected learner 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 in 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 both 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.

“Even the bullies can experience a drop in academic performance or drop out of school because of the consequences of their actions.”

Gcilitshana added that some bullies acted out due to trauma at home or unresolved emotional problems.

“Our support centres cater for both the bullied and bullies,” she said.

“Sometimes, bullies themselves need help.”

Daily Dispatch