Attorney Megan Harrington-Johnson discusses legal implications of the Limpopo bullying case
The Grade 10 pupil, who was the victim of bullying at Mbilwi High School in Thohoyandou, has died.
[Photo taken before March 2020]
According to Jacaranda FM News, the bullying was captured on a video that made the rounds on social media on Tuesday. The girl is believed to have subsequently committed suicide.
Breakfast with Martin Bester spoke to Megan Harrington-Johnson, Managing Partner at HJW Attorneys about the legal implications regarding this case.
HJW Attorneys was recognised as one of Africa’s Leading Boutique Law Firms in 2019.
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“Bullying is not a crime as yet but the act of bullying can constitute a crime,” says Harrington-Johnson. “Be careful with your actions all the time. If you are filming such an act or taking part in it, there will be consequences,” she concluded.
Wondering what to do as a parent? Megan Harrington-Johnson advises parents to first consult the school as teachers have a duty towards the children at the school, if that fails then parents are encouraged to contact their closest police station.
In a statement, the Department of Education in Limpopo confirmed that the incident took place at the school on Monday.
READ: ‘Bullied’ Grade 10 pupil dies in Limpopo
"The department was this morning alerted to a shocking video recording of a female Grade 10 learner being slapped around at Mbilwi Secondary School in the Vhembe East education district.”
Education MEC Polly Boshielo is waiting for a post-mortem report to determine the pupil’s cause of death.
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Image credit: Jacaranda FM