Mother's plea for action after son's bullying ordeal at JG Meiring School

“Tell me, what should a parent of a bullied child do before someone listens? Must my child first take his life before any listening and action happens?”

There were the anguished words of a mother whose Grade 10 son has been subjected to repeated bullying at JG Meiring School in Goodwood. Speaking exclusively to Weekend Argus, she described how the psychological and physical torment her son endured has left both of them struggling to find a way forward.

The first incident, she explained, took place in 2024, when her son was attacked, robbed and intimidated by a group of around 20 boys. The teenager had been selling sweets and chips at school when he was confronted by the group.

“I was on my way to the bathroom and was called by them. When I got to them, they said they didn’t want to buy anything. I then wanted to walk away but they demanded I sit down. They asked if I knew about a social media page that speaks about learners fighting with one another, apparently because I had commented I was going to hit someone,” the boy recounted.

“I told them I don’t know what they’re speaking about, because I don’t even know them. They then started to hit me and one took the money I had made from my sales. Then I felt hands around my neck, someone was choking me. I really thought this is it, this is where I die because I didn’t fight back.”

The ordeal escalated when one of the boys shoved him down a flight of stairs. He immediately reported the attack to a teacher, who sent him to the office to meet his mother.

The mother said her heart sank when she saw her son. “I could see the pain in his eyes, the hurt and fear. My child is not a fighter. He has been brought up properly. There is a reason I put him in JG Meiring, to have peace of mind that he would receive quality education, only for him to be broken down mentally and emotionally.”

Determined to take proper action, she opened a case of assault and robbery at the Goodwood police station. “We met with the parents of some of the children, they were nice people and apologised sincerely. But I told them I would leave the decision to my child, because he is the one who went through this and I didn’t want him to take revenge in the wrong way. This way, we followed proper procedures.”

The boy returned to school after a few weeks, only to face harassment from the same group. “I couldn’t handle it. They were now going on because I made a criminal case against their friends. I went to the office and asked to call my mom.”

The mother described the mental toll on her son. “After the 2024 incident, he opened up to a doctor about thoughts of hurting himself.

"As a mother, that is my greatest fear. We watch him closely. As a nurse, I see trauma every day, and I don’t want my child to feel so isolated over everything that happened.”

Attempts to resolve the matter with the school have been frustrating. She said the school informed her they do not have a School Governing Body (SGB) in place to deal with the matter or to suspend the children involved. “They are still at school receiving an education while my son sits at home and misses out on his work and exams. How do you expect him to learn or even return to school knowing those kids are there?”

She approached the district office seeking a transfer, but was told she would have to find another school herself. “I am now at my last straw and don’t know where or who to turn to anymore. Before anyone listens… must my child first lose his life?”

Unathi Booi, spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), said the department is aware of the alleged incident. “The learner has not returned to school. We encourage his return and have committed to assisting him. Our counselling support team is available and has developed an Individual Support Plan to help the learner reintegrate safely and catch up on missed work.”

Booi added that disciplinary procedures had been initiated but noted that the scheduling and holding of a disciplinary hearing falls under the SGB, which had not yet been actioned. The district is addressing the issue with the school.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi confirmed cases of intimidation and assault common is being investigated by Goodwood SAPS.

“The complainant alleges that he was on the way to the bathroom on 10 September 2025 on the premises of a local institute of learning. A scuffle ensued  when the suspect pushed him around.The suspect is yet to be arrested.

 “We appeal to anyone with information to please call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or alternatively use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.”

trac-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za

Weekend Argus