Teen arrested for racial bullying at school

THE Western Cape Education Department has confirmed growing concerns about bullying in schools, with 23 reported incidents since January.

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

The latest involves the arrest of a 17-year-old male learner at De Kuilen High School in Kuils River, accused of assaulting a 16-year-old female learner in an incident that allegedly included racial slurs and threats of violence.

The teen appeared in the Kuils River Magistrates' Court yesterday where he faced a charge of assault and is currently in the care of his parents.

Police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg explained: "Kindly be advised that the mentioned case number is an assault case involving a 16-year-old female. We can confirm that a 17-year-old male was arrested and the assessment process was followed. The suspect was released in his parents' custody and appeared in the Kuils River Magistrates' yesterday."

The incident which occurred in November 2024, was reported to both the WCED and the police.

A group of female learners claimed they were assaulted by a male learner who allegedly hurled racial remarks at them including that of assault.

Of the latest incidents, includes an attack at Sarepta Primary School where a learner's ear was ripped off inside a school toilet and the lobe was reattached surgically.

Vanessa Le Roux of Parents for Equal Education said she lobbied and wrote to the Ministers of Police and Justice calling for the case to be reopened after it was closed relating to the De Kuilen incident.

"She must commit suicide by cutting her pulse, is what the learner allegedly wrote," said Le Roux.