Boarders of the Christiaan De Wet Combined School hostel in the southern Free State have suffered serious bullying and intimidation tactics.

Members of the learner representative council reported the suspected perpetrators, four grade 10 learners, to school authorities and the provincial education department after pictures of burn marks on learners’ arms started doing the rounds on social media.

Department spokesperson Howard Ndaba said 13 grade 8 learners have similar burn marks that were inflicted on 12, 13, and 15 November. The matter was reported to police for investigation and four alleged perpetrators will face disciplinary action for bullying and physically harming other learners.

There is extreme bullying currently happening at Christiaan de Wet combined school in Free State in the hostels and no measures have been taken, students are being burnt with irons by senior students, can the relevant authorities address this, please? pic.twitter.com/yoRAOHD8wu

— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) November 20, 2023

Learners told officials and authorities the practice forms part of an initiation ritual at the school hostel, but the school management and governing body were unaware of the practice. The parents of the 13 boys have been informed about the incident. Free State MEC for Education Makalo Mohale said the practice must be brought to an end immediately.

 “Junior learners are being bullied, intimidated, and forcefully burned with the hot objects on their arms. Those who resist or defy ‘orders’ are threatened with more severe objects such as hot irons on their chests. This is barbaric, (primitive) and must stop.” 

The department is investigating the incident, while victims will be offered psycho-social support.

 OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi             Daphné