WATCH | Barbaric school mayhem — Masked pupils pelt teacher with water and papers

Teacher

Cape Town – Pupils from Hoër Tegniese Skool in Klerksdorp in the North West Province, were suspended after a video went viral showing them abusing a teacher by pouring water and throwing paper at him while other students allegedly cheered.

The incident occurred on 19 August 2025.

According to the North West Department of Education, a group of learners entered the school restrooms wearing overalls and balaclavas, disrupting teaching and learning activities.

When a teacher attempted to intervene, the learners reportedly poured water on the educator and threw papers at them.

School staff quickly intervened to secure the premises and remove the learners involved, restoring order so that normal academic activities could resume.

An immediate investigation identified the students responsible, and their parents were promptly informed.

On Wednesday, 20 August, the School Management Team (SMT), following guidance from the School Governing Body (SGB), decided to suspend the learners for five school days.

“This suspension is an interim measure pending the outcome of a formal disciplinary process as per the school’s code of conduct. The parents of the learners were invited to an official meeting today, during which they were informed of the decision to suspend. The suspension was implemented to ensure the safety and well-being of all learners and staff,” the department said.

North West MEC for Education Viola Motsumi condemned the learners’ behaviour, describing it as “extremely barbaric and unacceptable.”

“This behaviour displayed by these learners is extremely barbaric and is unacceptable. We are not going to tolerate learners who assault our teachers, they do not belong in our schools.
“I am going to instruct the School Governing Body of this school to take drastic steps against these learners. The steps taken by the school should send a message to other learners to never attempt such horrible behaviour. I have instructed the district to arrange psychosocial support for the teachers and learners who have been affected by this incident”, said  Motsumi.

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