'Milnerton High School assault video exposes growing violence crisis' - Riah Phiyega, Safer South Africa Foundation

Police are investigating a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after a violent bullying incident was captured on video at Milnerton High School in Cape Town on 16 October.

The footage has sparked outrage and renewed national concern about escalating violence in schools.

Riah Phiyega, CEO of the Safer South Africa Foundation and former National Police Commissioner, says authorities confirm that such cases are increasingly being reported under a dedicated police category: 'crimes in educational institutions'.

"This is a systemic problem, and it requires us as a nation to have systemic intervention. It takes a village to raise a child. We are not just going to look at the school, police or just at the parents - this systemic intervention requires all of us. Punishment has a role, but even punishment alone cannot help us solve this."

Phiyega adds that the issue is far deeper than isolated incidents, warning that focusing solely on punishment won’t solve the crisis.

"We can talk punishment, but have we resolved the problem? Absolutely not.

"Parents equally have a role; they can't do it alone. Teachers have a role; they've been trained to be teachers, but now they're supposed to be social workers, they're supposed to be police. How do we come together?"

To counter this trend, the Safer South Africa Foundation runs school-based interventions focused on awareness and behavioural change.

These include experiential learning sessions in courts and correctional facilities to help students grasp the real-life consequences of crime.

To listen to Phiyega in conversation with 702 and CapeTalk's Africa Melane, use the audio player below: