Five South African Pupils Suspended Over Viral Video of Slapping, Harassing Classmate

Five pupils from a senior secondary school in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, South Africa, have been suspended after a video emerged showing a female pupil being slapped and harassed by a group of boys.

Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade and senior officials visited the school on Monday, August 4, following public outrage over the incident.

According to department spokesperson Vuyiseka Mboxeka, the driver of the bus transporting the pupils has also been suspended. Disciplinary hearings for the students will begin Thursday, August 7.

Reports suggest the attack was retaliation after the girl reported the boys for damaging the school fence. Her mother has filed an assault complaint with the police, saying she wants the perpetrators arrested.

The school governing body revealed the boys had faced prior complaints, including possession of alcohol on school grounds. A circulating voice note from a local taxi association member indicated the bus driver, who witnessed the assault, was emotionally distressed but felt powerless to intervene.