KARIEGA – A concerning video circulating on social media has prompted an investigation into alleged initiation practices involving learners at Muir College Boys’ High School, after footage emerged appearing to show learners in school attire involved in what viewers describe as a water-based initiation ritual on the Kariega school premises.
The video, which has generated concern, appears to depict one young learner screaming for help whilst being repeatedly submerged in a swimming pool by fellow students whilst onlookers watch the proceedings.
The incident has raised serious questions about supervision, student welfare, and the persistence of initiation culture at the institution, with concerned parents and members of the public calling for immediate action and accountability from school authorities.
Speaking to the UD Express, the Muir College headmaster, David Francis, shared that the school became aware of the video circulating on social media on Wednesday, 4 March 2026.
“We take these allegations very seriously, as the safety and well-being of our learners are our top priorities,” he said.
The school enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy against any form of initiation or behaviour that undermines the dignity and safety of our learners.
Condemning the matter, he said, “Such practices are explicitly prohibited by our Code of Conduct and by Department of Education regulations,” whilst assuring the public that a formal internal investigation into the incident had been started as soon as they became aware of it.
“As this involves minors and is an ongoing disciplinary issue, we are unable to provide specific details about the learners’ identities or the actions being taken at this stage, in accordance with POPIA,” he stated.
“Please be assured that we are addressing the matter with the necessary urgency and will take the appropriate steps once our internal processes are complete,” Francis said.
Eastern Cape Department of Education spokesperson, Malibongwe Mtima added that the Department is aware of this incident. “We have contacted both the parents of the victim and the alleged perpetrators, informing them that we are investigating the issue and the surrounding circumstances,” he said.
Mtima concluded that once the matter is resolved, the Department will make its findings public.
The family’s reactions
Speaking to the UD Express, the grandmother of the alleged bullied young learner shared the experiences of her grandchild, who resides at the school’s hostel. Her name is being withheld to protect the identity of the minor.
“We have noticed that there is no security at the hostel and no hands-on guardian. If intruders were to enter the learners’ rooms, no one would ask how they gained entry as it is open.
“We spent 30 minutes in the hostel with no one checking on us until we left. Not only that, but primary school learners can also leave the school premises unsupervised. That should not be happening. If something happened to them while off the school premises, who would be held responsible?”
She continued, “On one occasion, my grandchild told me that he was thrown out of the shower by an older learner so that the older learner could shower. So, he knows now that he needs to shower quickly before the older learners throw him out of the shower forcibly. No one stops that from happening.”
Regarding the matter of alleged bullying, she claimed that learners bully one another. She alleged that there is no separation between primary and high school learners at the hostel. “Grade 12 learners and Grade 6 learners are often around one another. In the dining hall, my grandchild was sitting and eating as he arrived early, and older learners can just come and grab a spoon out of the hand of the younger learners, forcing them to eat with their hands. No one stopped that from happening.”
She also alleged that these incidents traumatise her grandchild. “It is evident in his behaviour that something is off about him. Even the fact that he was not allowed to move from isiXhosa to Afrikaans has affected him.
He has done Afrikaans throughout his whole schooling career, and when he got to Muir, he did isiXhosa. After noting how difficult it is for him, we wanted to move him to Afrikaans; what he is used to, but were told that he should continue with isiXhosa.
She said, “Recently, he came home with one out of five vests that he owns, with his name clearly written. He said that they were stolen. His shirts as well; same story. They don’t do laundry at school, so how else are his clothes going missing? I don’t believe all of the stealing is done by the older learners; it could be peers, but still, nothing is done about this. If there were a matron at the school, these things would happen less.”
In addition, she noted, “Some things he no longer tells me because he was called in at school for what I posted [on social media]. Even the Department of Education said they spoke to the parents of both children, but no one spoke to me as the guardian of the child. I fear what else is being kept from me,” she concluded.
In response to the guardian’s allegations, Francis said, “We want to reassure the public that the safety, well-being, and academic progress of our learners remain our top priorities. The school is working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure all internal procedures are followed correctly.”
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