Milnerton High 8 case postponed

SEVEN of the Milnerton High School boys accused of the assault face expulsion, as the case before the Western Cape High Court was postponed on Tuesday. 

The matter involves eight learners charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm following an incident in October 2025 that was later widely circulated on social media. 

In the footage that went viral, it shows seniors at the school repeatedly hitting a 16-year-old Grade 10 learner with belts, pipes and a wooden plank. 

Some of the accused are allegedly members of the school’s First Team Rugby squad.

Six adult accused have been appearing in Court 26, while the two juveniles are being processed separately.

The case against six adult learners has been postponed to March to allow for further investigation involving photographic evidence, the National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed.

NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said key investigative steps are still outstanding, explaining: “The consultation with the victims and downloading of photographs are still outstanding.”

The accused’s bail has been extended, with all bail conditions remaining unchanged.

The two accused who are minors have not yet appeared in court and are expected to be dealt with separately in Court 19 (Children’s Court). Ntabazalila said an update would be provided once their appearance has been concluded.

Meanwhile, the The Western Cape Department of Education (WCED) has recommended that the seven of the learners face disciplinary action. 

WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond confirmed that the school’s internal disciplinary process has been finalised.

She said: “The disciplinary hearing concluded in December. The Disciplinary Committee of the school recommended the expulsion of seven learners.

“The recommendation documents were sent to the WCED last week and will now be considered by the Head of Department of the WCED.” 

Parents for Equal Education South Africa (PEESA) founder Vanessa Le Roux, who is also a spokesperson for the mother of the bullied learner, welcomed the disciplinary committee’s recommendation.

She added: “"We welcome the recommendation. That feels like justice. The institutions of learning have no place for criminality and bullying behaviour. 

“Hopefully this is a wake-up call to these young men, to teach them that every decision has consequences.”