The North West Department of Education MEC, Viola Motsumi condemned in the strongest terms the incident of bullying which allegedly happened at President Mangope Technical School in Tlhabane Township near Rustenburg which is currently circulating on social media. It is reported that the incident occurred at school during the break on Thursday, 12 February 2026.

It is reported that during the school break at the class of the Grade 9C, two girl learners locked themselves up inside the classroom with a one boy learner. The video circulating on social media shows two girls assaulting a boy learner inside the classroom.

It is further reported that another learner unlocked the door for the boy learner to escape and for other learners to gain access to the fighting learners. They eventually broke up the fight, and the two perpetrators and the victim were taken to the principal’s office.

The school management resolved by suspending all three learners involved in the fight. The learners will be subjected to a school disciplinary process.
The MEC for Education, Mme Viola Motsumi insisted that incidents of fighting or bullying are not tolerated in schools.

“I take this opportunity to condemn in the strongest terms the incident of bullying or fighting that allegedly happened at President Mangope Technical School. Fighting among learners is totally not allowed in our schools. Any learner found to have violated the rights of other learners will face the full might of the law.
“At the beginning of the year, the school management outlines the non-negotiables to the learners. Each and every learner is made aware of their rights and the consequences of violating these rights,” emphasized MEC Motsumi.

The School Governing Body of the school is expected to invite the learners and their parents to a disciplinary hearing, which is scheduled to take place at the school between 16 – 18 February 2026.

download: Media Statement