MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A case of assault was recently opened by a Hillcrest Secondary parent after two videos of her Grade Nine son being hit began doing the rounds on social media in February.
The first incident occurred on the schoolgrounds on 3 February, which was filmed, and then later in the parking area.
A second incident took place as he was on his way home from school on 16 February. It was this second one that spurred his mother to open a case at the Da Gamaskop Police Station.
In response to a media query sent to the Western Cape Department of Education, a spokesperson, Millicent Merton, confirmed the incidents.
"A video posted on social media showed an incident during break in which a Grade 10 learner assaulted a Grade Nine learner. Later that day, in the school's parking area, the Grade 10 learner assaulted the Grade Nine learner again, after which he retaliated."
Merton said the student governing body's chairperson, Edgar Ntebe, had reported the incident to the school, and both learners were suspended for three days.
"The learners, accompanied by their parents, attended a disciplinary hearing, and both were referred for counselling. The altercation allegedly stemmed from an incident within the community. The families, who live in the same area, have reportedly agreed to address the matter at home."
Merton said an investigation is under way.
Ntebe echoed what the department had said and added that the matter had been reported to Safe Schools.
As for the second incident, the Southern Cape Police's spokesperson, Warrant Officer Chris Spies, said the Da Gamaskop Police detectives are investigating a case of common assault that took place on 16 February.
Three learners between the ages of 15 and 17 were arrested.
Spies said the matter was not enrolled in court and the suspects have yet to appear.
The learner's mother said he has been struggling following the two incidents, and that he was depressed.
She said she only found out about the second altercation when she saw the video on social media.
She decided to open the case against the learners who were involved in the second altercation.
The learner's uncle told Mossel Bay Advertiser he acknowledges that disciplinary steps were taken, but he is concerned that the matter appears to be "framed as resolved through family intervention".
"Given that there was a subsequent incident reported on 16 February, it would seem the issue remains ongoing," he said.
Spies added that the investigation into this matter continues.
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