Anti-bullying organisation says criminalising bullies is not the solution

Safer South Africa says criminalising bullies at schools is not the solution.

The organisation was responding to calls for the arrest of a group of boys who were seen assaulting another learner at a high school in the North West.

The foundation’s Gauteng Coordinator, Edna Mamonyane, points out that the public often overlooks the complexities in the lives of children who become bullies.

She explains that many bullies are victims of difficult home environments, where bullying becomes an outlet for their frustrations.

Mamonyane stressed that bullies are not born criminals, rather, their actions are a reflection of their circumstances.

“I’ve come to realise that some of them behave this way because they grow up in environments where showing strength or fighting is seen as a way to resolve issues,” she said.

“Others bully because they feel they lack what other children have. To close that gap and avoid being labeled as poor, they resort to bullying those who have more.”

The former inspector and spokesperson at the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) also pointed to society’s role in fostering violent behaviour, particularly among children.

“We are an angry society, constantly fighting one another, and children in schools are learning that this is the way to solve problems,” she said.

She emphasised the importance of helping bullies understand the impact of their actions on others.

Bosa leader, Mmusi Maimane, has called on the Police Minister and the South African Police Service (SAPS) to send the boys to a juvenile facility.

“Teachers and students are not safe. Our schools cannot be allowed to become playgrounds for thugs in uniform,” he said.

However, some critics have argued that sending children to jail is not the answer and that the government should focus on protecting them from falling into a life of crime at a young age.

Arrest them. They must be sent to juvenile detention. We cannot have our schools being playgrounds for thugs in uniform.

Teachers are not safe and other students are not safe. We need action from @SAPoliceService @Senzo_Mchunu_ pic.twitter.com/JYggVuhsN9

— Mmusi Maimane MP (@MmusiMaimane) March 18, 2025

According to the North West Education Department, the incident took place in November last year.

It says one of the boys, deemed the perpetrator, is currently in jail on a separate charge.

“Our Safety in Schools unit is engaging with provincial counterparts to ensure the necessary support is given to the school and learners,” add the education authorities.

Education policy analyst from the Human Sciences Research Council, Andrea Juan, says their research has shown that some of government’s measures to combat bullying at schools are ineffective as this is a complex problem.

Writing her personal insights published last year January on the organisation’s 2015 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, Juan shared that they had discovered cycles of bullying where learners can be victims of bullying in some contexts and perpetrators in others.

“We call these learners bully-victims. When they are repeatedly victimised, some individuals – seeking power and control – turn to bullying as a coping mechanism. Our results provide evidence that bullying and victimisation should not be thought of strictly as opposing behaviours, but as a symbiotic relationship. Understanding this complexity is important for shaping effective anti-bullying programmes, which should focus on the school as a system rather than on individual learners,” she says.

According to the researcher, learners who felt exposed to unfair treatment by teachers were more likely to be bullied.

“These trends were very similar across the types of bullying. It is clear that school principals and teachers need to foster a positive and inclusive school environment where all students feel valued and supported.”

She’s also encouraged parents to play their part by acquinting themselves with the Department of Basic Education’s “Tips for Parents” guide, which shows them how to teach children about different forms of bullying; how to recognise it, and the importance of reporting any incidents.

“The booklet also describes the warning signs of being bullied. Some of these tips include assuring children that you will immediately investigate and report the situation with the school principal rather than trying to be a fix-it”parent by calling the bully’s parents,” adds Juan.

According to the country’s statistics, more than 3.2 million learners are bullied every year and more than 67% of them don’t ask teachers for help because they don’t think it will change their situation.

About 160 000 high-school learners apparently bunk school every day to avoid being bullied, while one in 10 learners drop out of school to avoid being bullied.