In a heartbreaking turn of events, eight schoolgirls are set to appear in a Johannesburg court today after a violent assault was caught on camera. The video, which has since sparked national outrage, shows the group attacking a fellow student from Bedfordview High.
What makes the incident even more painful is that the alleged attackers are believed to be from the same school — Queens and Athlone High — and were known to be friends with the victim.
The girl’s mother expressed deep shock, saying she never expected such violence from those she thought were part of her daughter’s inner circle.
This comes shortly after a separate, harrowing case in KwaZulu-Natal, where a 15-year-old pupil had to undergo surgery after being assaulted at school — once again highlighting the growing crisis of school bullying in South Africa.
The nation continues to grapple with urgent calls for improved safety in schools, as campaigns push to eliminate bullying and drug use from learning environments meant to be safe and nurturing.