Family accuses Thuto-Lesedi Secondary of condoning bullying after Grade Eight learner hospitalised

The family of a 16-year-old Grade Eight learner at Thuto-Lesedi Secondary School in Vosloorus is demanding accountability after the teen was hospitalised with serious injuries following an alleged bullying incident.

Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona confirmed that a Grade 10 learner implicated in the assault had been suspended pending a disciplinary hearing.
“Our psycho-social support team has also been deployed to assist the school community,” Mabona added.

According to the family, the teen was selling sweets at school on July 23 when a group of known bullies allegedly began harassing him. The situation escalated into a violent attack, leaving the boy with a fractured nose and severe eye injuries that required surgery. He was admitted to ICU at a private hospital.

The victim’s uncle said the boy ran to a teacher for help, but was dismissed.
“The mother was only contacted around 15:00 and told her son had been in a fight. When she arrived, he was bleeding heavily and vomiting.”

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The family, however, claims the school failed to act promptly or responsibly.
“We believe the school condones this behaviour. They failed to intervene when it mattered and offered no support on the day of the attack,” said the teen’s uncle.

“The school didn’t notify the parents of the other learners involved until the following day. We had to open a case ourselves before any real action was taken, and even that only happened after the MEC sent officials to the hospital.”

He also claimed that bullying is a long-standing issue at the school.
“These bullies are known. This isn’t the first time this has happened, but the school continues to turn a blind eye.”
SAPS Ekurhuleni district communications officer, Captain Nelda Sekgobela, confirmed that Vosloorus police are investigating a case of common assault.

Although the teen has since been moved out of ICU and is recovering, his family remains shaken and is calling for stronger action from both the school and authorities to protect learners.
“We are disheartened, but we won’t stop until proper action is taken. The safety and dignity of learners must come first,” said the uncle.
The Boksburg Advertiser reached out to Thuto-Lesedi Secondary School for comment but received no response at the time of publication.

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