Senior pupils at a top private school are being investigated after allegedly forcing younger boys to “mock-rape” a bus seat while travelling on school outings.
St David’s Marist Inanda in Sandton launched the probe after a parent approached LeadSA’s Terry Volkwyn at a function and raised concern over the so-called initiation. Eye Witness News first broadcast the story on Monday.
The incident happened last Friday when the pupils were returning from a swimming gala, and a similar incident had happened while the pupils were going on camp.
The school’s CEO, Mike Greeff, who referred to the incident as “stupidity that took place at the back of the bus”, said it was not clear at this stage how many pupils had been involved.
The school said in a statement it condemned “any behaviour that intimidates, humiliates or frightens any other person. We are shocked and disappointed that any of our boys would be involved in behaviour which may cause distress or humiliation. Such incidents violate our code of conduct and anti-bullying policy.”
The SA Schools Act also prohibits initiation practices.
Greeff said the investigation could reveal more incidents.
“We can’t rule out the possibility that there might be other incidents, but I can assure you that this will not happen again,” he said.
Greeff said the school did allow for new pupils to undergo orientation, so that they were familiarised with its culture.
“In terms of orientation, the youngsters must do things like learning the school’s song and such so that they have a sense of belonging. (The seniors) pushed the envelope with this… it will absolutely not be tolerated,” he said.
Gauteng Education MEC Barbara Creecy was alerted to the incident by LeadSA and had a meeting with the school’s management at the weekend.
Her department’s spokesman, Charles Phahlane, said the department could not be directly involved as St David’s Marist Inanda is a private school.
“The MEC advised the school to get to the bottom of this because not only does it involve the (violation) of the SA Schools Act, but also the Sexual Offences Act,” he said.
Izabella Little, an internationally published author and parenting expert, said severe cases of initiation in schools were decreasing and schools had been firmer in dealing with the practice.
“Schools are now very strict in dealing with this, but kids will be kids, and they sometimes do these things behind their teachers’ backs,” she said.
LeadSA’s Yusuf Abramjee, who had also spoken to the school’s management, said the school “must come clean” with its investigation.
“The only way to stop this from happening again is to bring it to the fore,” he said. - The Star