Eight Students Suspended After Brutal Classroom Assault on Cancer Survivor in Cape Town

Eight Milnerton High School students were suspended after a viral video showed them beating a 16-year-old cancer survivor. The attack sparked outrage and protests, prompting police intervention and an official investigation. Authorities urged the public not to share the footage to protect the victim’s privacy.

Eight students from Milnerton High School in Cape Town, South Africa, have been suspended following the emergence of a shocking video that captured a violent assault inside a classroom. The footage, which quickly spread across social media platforms, has provoked widespread outrage among South Africans and renewed calls for stronger measures to curb bullying and violence in schools.

The disturbing video, reportedly recorded last week, shows several boys attacking one of their classmates using a belt, a hosepipe, and even a hockey stick, while others stand around laughing and filming the incident on their phones. The victim, a 16-year-old boy who had only recently finished undergoing treatment for cancer, can be heard in the background crying out in pain and begging his attackers to stop. The scene has been described by viewers as cruel and heartbreaking, highlighting the growing issue of student-on-student violence within learning institutions.

The boy’s mother, speaking to local media outlets, expressed her devastation and disbelief that her son, who had just triumphed over a life-threatening illness, had to endure such a traumatic experience at school. His uncle confirmed to broadcaster eNCA that the family decided to remove him from the school immediately after the attack for his safety and well-being. Reports indicate that the boy is receiving both medical care and emotional support as he recovers from the ordeal.

The shocking video triggered public outrage, leading to protests outside Milnerton High School on Wednesday. A group of concerned parents, community members, and political activists gathered at the school gates, demanding accountability and accusing school authorities of negligence in protecting students from bullying and violence. As tensions escalated during the demonstration, police intervened, using tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the angry crowd. Several parents expressed frustration, saying that this was not the first time violent behavior had been reported at the school, but that authorities had previously failed to act decisively.

Amnesty International South Africa condemned the footage as “deeply disturbing” and called for urgent and transparent action to ensure justice for the victim and to prevent similar incidents from recurring. The organization stressed that violence in schools cannot be tolerated under any circumstances and urged both educators and government officials to take stronger preventive measures.

In response to the public outrage, the Education Ministry announced that it is working closely with the Western Cape Education Department to carry out a full investigation. Officials confirmed that the eight students identified in the video have been suspended pending disciplinary proceedings, and additional counseling and safety measures are being put in place for both students and teachers.

Authorities, civil rights groups, and child protection advocates have also appealed to the public not to share or repost the video online. They warned that redistributing the footage could further traumatize the victim and violate the privacy and rights of minors featured in the recording. They urged social media users to report such content instead of spreading it, emphasizing the need for empathy, restraint, and respect for the dignity of the child involved.

The incident has sparked a national conversation about violence and mental health among South African youth, with many calling for schools to implement stronger anti-bullying programs, improve supervision, and create safe reporting channels for students who experience or witness abuse.