In Cape Town South Africa (SA), a disturbing incident at local School, Milnerton High School, where a video surfaced showing a Grade 10 pupil being violently assaulted by older learners wielding hockey sticks, belts and hose-pipes, has ignited national outrage. Eight older boys have been suspended and face disciplinary hearings.

 But this case also raises urgent questions for the rest of Africa: when learners older than 18 are involved in school violence, does the criminal justice system step in too quickly or too little? And what happens to younger children if bullying cultures are not truly checked?

Joining us to explore the deeper issues of justice, school safety and alternatives to criminalisation is Equal Education researcher Yolisa Piliso,  the organisation that campaigns for quality, equality and safety in SA's schools.