A disturbing video circulating on social media has raised fresh alarm over bullying, pupil safety and violence in Pietermaritzburg schools after it showed pupils assaulting one another inside a locked classroom at Eastwood Secondary School.
In the video, about seven boys are seen inside a classroom while one pupil repeatedly slaps another before turning and striking a second boy with a belt.
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School Governing Body (SGB) chairperson Carmia Prinsloo confirmed the school was aware of the incident and said it was being addressed.
“We were made aware of the video on Saturday, and the school is dealing with the matter. I cannot comment any further at this stage,” said Prinsloo.
Mountain Rise SAPS Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson Sham Govender said preliminary engagement by the Mountain Rise Youth Desk suggested the incident may have stemmed from bullying.
“There is serious concern about bullying in schools. This is not isolated to one school but affects many. It is believed the incident may have started over a disagreement involving a sweet,” Govender said.
He added that the CPF would visit the school to assess safety and engage with stakeholders.
KwaZulu-Natal Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said the department had launched an investigation.
“The issue of pupils fighting is deeply concerning. We are investigating and will deal with the matter decisively,” said Mahlambi.
Ward councillor Roy Ram condemned the incident, saying violence and bullying had no place in schools.
“I have spoken to the principal, and the matter is being handled. We do not condone bullying and fighting in our schools,” said Ram.
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The school has previously been affected by violent incidents.
In 2019, a pupil was stabbed to death outside the school following an altercation linked to the so-called “bombing” practice, where pupils throw objects at one another.
