Milnerton High assault: WC Education Department calls for patience while school investigates

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has urged the public to remain patient as Milnerton High School handles a disciplinary investigation into an assault incident that is sparking widespread concern.

According to Department guidelines, the school and its governing body must take the lead in such cases, ensuring that both the rights of victims and alleged perpetrators are protected. 

The Department emphasised that its role is to oversee compliance with education laws, not to interfere in the school’s internal process.

"The school does not have the right to expel the child. The school has to recommend to the HOD (head of department) to expel the child. If the HOD does not agree with them, then the school has no right to expel that child. However, even if the child has been expelled by the HOD, the parents of the child still have the right to appeal to the MEC, and then that's how the external process is made," explained Matakanye Matakanya, General Secretary of the National Association of School Governing Bodies (NASGB).

Matakanya adds that due process is designed to safeguard fairness for all learners.

He notes that while emotions often run high in such situations, decisions must be guided by law and education policy, not public pressure.

To listen to Matakanya in conversation with CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit, use he audio player below: