Soshanguve community members accused of assaulting pupils with sjamboks [VIDEO]

Police are investigating an incident at Soshanguve South Secondary School in Tshwane, where community members allegedly entered the school premises and assaulted pupils with sjamboks under the guise of enforcing discipline.

A video made rounds on social media platforms on Tuesday showing an incident where two pupils are seen being hit by two people with sjamboks as they entered the school premises.

In the early frames of the video, a pupil is shown flinching after two men, both holding sjamboks, hit his legs before he quickly ran away. Onlookers, who are out of frame, can be heard screaming “Ah!” after the boy was hit.

Pupils allegedly hit with sjamboks for being late

A second boy is seen entering the frame, where he is hit twice by the first man at the back of his thighs and then again by the second man on his legs as he jumps.

According to reports, the pupils were allegedly assaulted for arriving to school late.

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Watch the video here:

Barbarism happening at Soshanguve South High School must be stopped, learners were punished because the scholar transport arrived late. Heads must roll. pic.twitter.com/GwzrXEBGDT

— Koena (@ThabaKoena) May 20, 2025

Rise Mzansi Chief Organiser Makashule Gana posted the video on his X (formerly Twitter) account, stating that he received it on Tuesday morning.

“It is alleged that the principal and school governing body (SGB) called community members to administer corporal punishment on school learners who were late for school,” he said in the video.

Gana claimed that he was told that this is a practice that is continuing and has been done before.

Principal and SGB allegedly sanctioned corporal punishment

The Member of Parliament (MPs) said he would take the issue up with Basic education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, Gauteng Education and Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC Matome Chiloane and Premier Panyaza Lesufi.

“Corporal punishment has been outlawed in South African schools, and there should be consequences for the principal and the SGB officials who sanctioned this punishment of learners who were late for school,” Gana said.

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In response to Gana’s video, Chiloane confirmed that the department was aware of the incident. The MEC said the matter is being handled with the urgency it demands.

“South African Police Service (Saps) is investigating. An assault case has been opened, and the school is opening a trespassing case,” Chiloane said.

“Affected learners have received medical attention and are receiving psychosocial support.”

Police and internal investigation

The MEC confirmed that an internal investigation into the matter is underway to establish how this happened. The Congress of South African Students (Cosas) and parents have also requested that the principal and the SGB chairperson step aside while the matter is resolved.

“We are fully engaged and will remain so until all facts are established and a just and satisfactory resolution is reached,” the MEC concluded.

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