Western Cape Education Department upholds expulsion of Milnerton High School learners

Milnerton High School has expels learners over assault case, parents welcome decision. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has upheld the expulsion of six learners from Milnerton High School following disciplinary proceedings linked to a widely publicised assault case, a decision welcomed by parents’ advocacy group Parents for Equal Education. WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond confirmed that the Head of Department supported the school governing body’s recommendation after the conclusion of the internal process.

“The Western Cape Education Department can confirm that the Head of Department has upheld the recommendation by the school governing body ofMilnerton High Schoolto expel six learners from the school following the outcome of the disciplinary processes,” Hammond said. Reacting to the decision, Parents for Equal Education’s Vanessa le Roux said the focus must remain on the victims and the broader impact on the school community. “We always said we want to see justice for the victims, because it’s not only one victim — it’s more than that,” she said.

“Many people only saw the clip of the one victim, but there are many more victims.” Le Roux said the severity of the alleged assaults had brought the school into disrepute and left pupils living in fear. “These children were assaulted on numerous occasions. Most of them are Grade 12s — they knew exactly what they were doing,” she said.