Soundbite by Lindokuhle Sixabayi.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) Youth expects to see justice done for the horrific bullying incident at Milnerton High School. We also note and welcome the swift action by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) in response to the deeply concerning incident.
The Department has exercised its role to ensure due process is being followed while prioritising the safety, well-being, and dignity of all learners. That is the correct approach abiding the rule of law, and avoiding the grandstanding and political gimmicks we see from Education MECs in other provinces, such as Gauteng.
We note the precautionary suspension of the implicated learners by the School Government Body, and the initiation of a fair disciplinary process, along with the provision of counselling support to the victims. It is clear that the Department continues to prioritise the wellbeing of all learners at the school.
Now that a criminal investigation and court proceedings are underway, the DA Youth calls for due process to be followed so that justice is served.
The DA Youth believes that schools must be safe, inclusive environments where every learner is respected and protected from any harm.
Violence and bullying have no place in our education system, and we fully support efforts to reinforce a culture of discipline, empathy, and respect across all schools.
We echo the Department’s call for the public to continue to refrain from circulating videos of the incident. Protecting the privacy and mental well-being of the learners involved is essential to maintaining a fair process and preventing further trauma.
The DA Youth also extends our support to the learners currently writing their National Senior Certificate examinations.
We commend the Department for ensuring that learning continues in a calm and secure environment.