Viral Gauteng school bullying video sparks concern

A bullying assault video involving two learners at Hoërskool Oos-Moot has gone viral, sparking outrage online and renewed concern over school safety, reports thePretoria Rekord. The school has since confirmed in a recent statement on their Facebook page that the incident occurred in a bathroom on the school grounds in January and a disciplinary process was initiated at the time. In the video, two learners are seen in a school bathroom, with one standing against the wall.

The taller learner appears to ask the smaller learner something, and the smaller learner can be seen responding. Shortly after, the taller learner appears to slap the smaller learner, then moves in aggressively and pushes his face close to the smaller learner’s face in a threatening manner. In a letter from the school, the chairperson of the school governing body said the incident in question had already occurred on January 22 in a bathroom on the school premises.

“The matter was reported to the disciplinary office that same afternoon, and an official investigation into the incident was immediately launched on an urgent basis,” said the chairperson. “After the investigation was completed, which took place within the prescribed time frame, a disciplinary process was initiated against the learners concerned in accordance with the provisions of the South African Schools Act [84 of 1996] accompanying regulations, and the school’s internal code of conduct. A governing body hearing formed part of the said disciplinary process, among other things,” added the chairperson.

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The statement further stated that, following the relevant disciplinary action, certain sanctions were imposed and that the governing body’s disciplinary committee also made specific recommendations to the head of department of the Gauteng Department of Education. “The school and the governing body are currently awaiting the head of department’s ratification of such recommendations,” said the chairperson. “Hoërskool Oos-Moot follows a very strong anti-bullying policy, and the safety and best interests of our learners have always enjoyed the highest priority.

Our approach is therefore to combat and discourage such unacceptable behaviour at all times and at all costs. Should the school’s disciplinary code nevertheless be violated, action is taken against an offender consistently and without exception in an urgent, appropriate and decisive manner,” reads the statement. It further stated such allegations made by certain individuals are ‘undoubtedly false, malicious, and unlawful, with the sole objective of damaging the school’s reputation’.

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