The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education released a statement condemning a bullying incident at Nqabakazulu High School in KwaMashu after a video circulated on social media.
The footage shows a learner physically attacking another inside the school’s toilet, questioning the student’s safety.
With more than 3.2 million learnes bullied yearly in South Africa, over 500 cases have been reported in the first week of 2025.
According to The Witness, the Department of Basic Education confirmed that 548 cases of bullying have been reported across all provinces with Limpopo as the highest recorded with 305 cases.
Also Read: Government Launches R500 Million Fund to Help Spaza Shops Follow New Rules
In response to the incident, KZN MEC for Education, Sipho Hlomuka expressed his concerns and reassured the department’s commitment to eliminate bullying in schools.
Bullying as a whole is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our schools. We, as a Department, are committed to ensuring that all learners feel safe and protected within the school environment. We encourage learners to report bullying incidents so that they can be addressed immediately.
While the Department of Education pushes it’s efforts to eradicate bullying in schools , bullying within school learners has become a serious issue and as one of the factors leading to teenagers committing suicide.
