The Mpumalanga Department of Education has expressed concern and shock at a viral video circulating on social media platforms showing three learners allegedly assaulting another learner at Keledi Secondary School in Achornhoek, Bushbuckridge Local Municipality.
The video, which has since gone viral, shows three girl learners dressed in school uniform assaulting another girl learner.
Other school learners are heard cheering in the background as the assault takes place.
The learners are seen kicking the victim while others hold her by her braided hair.
In another video, believed to have been recorded after the incident, the assaulted learner is seen lying on the ground while some other school learners laugh at her.
It is unclear which grade the learners are in or on which day the assault occurred.
In response, the department said in a statement on Saturday, that it strongly condemns all forms of violence, intimidation and bullying as such conduct undermines the rights, dignity and safety of learners.
“Schools are centres of learning, care and protection, and any behaviour that threatens the wellbeing of learners is completely unacceptable.”
The department said it has directed the School Governing Body of Keledi Secondary School to immediately institute disciplinary processes against the implicated learners, and to suspend them pending the outcome of hearings, in line with applicable policies and prescripts governing the learner code of conduct.
“The Department has further requested the school to submit a comprehensive report outlining the circumstances surrounding the incident and the interventions already undertaken by the school.”
In addition, the department said officials from its wellness section will be deployed to the school on Monday, May 18, 2026, to provide psychosocial support services to the affected learner and any other learners who may have been emotionally impacted.
“The department remains committed to promoting safe, disciplined and conducive learning environments across all schools in the province.”
“Learners, parents, educators and community members are encouraged to work collectively in confronting bullying and to report such incidents without delay,” it added.