Parents of learners at Sinugani Secondary School in Ha-Magau are demanding that strict action be taken against school bullies. This follows a video that started circulating on social media, showing a Grade 9 learner viciously assaulting two other learners.
In the video, which was posted on Facebook, the learner can be seen assaulting two other boys after accusing them of taking his girlfriend. It is alleged that this is not the first such incident involving the same learner.
The fight, which apparently started inside the school premises on 15 August, was widely condemned. The parents of the assaulted children blame the school management for not doing enough to address the issue of gangsterism at the school. During a meeting held at the school, some parents asked that the learner involved in the fight be expelled, while others did not want to take the matter that far. Parents are calling on the authorities to take the issue of school bullying seriously.
A parent, who asked to remain anonymous, said he was disappointed that the school was taking the matter lightly. "The school should not disregard bullying. After the incident, my son and the other child were called to the school office and told to shake hands and forgive each other. I am angry and fearful for my child's safety," he said.
Mr Lucky Malema, a member of the local community, said it was necessary to act against incidents of bullying and correct the behaviour. "If we don't intervene early, they will find violence and bullying fun. We hope that school learners report any acts or incidents that pose a threat to a healthy learning environment," he said.
Malema added that they would embark on a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of gangsterism, bullying, abuse, and a negative attitude towards certain subjects. "We will be camping out in front of the local schools until we see a change among gangsters," he said.
The spokesperson for the Department of Education, Mosebjane Kgafe, said that all members of society should work together to address the issue of bullying. "When, as a child, you feel bullied, you need to report it, so that you can get the assistance you need for it to stop," she said. She added that the department would investigate the incident at Sinugani.