A storm is gathering around a public high school in Benoni following allegations that eight LGBTQ+ learners were publicly humiliated and retraumatised by the principal over their school uniforms.
Human rights activist Nathi Mahlangu approached MambaOnline, calling for urgent media oversight and accountability.
“I am writing to formally bring to your attention a deeply distressing matter involving the alleged public humiliation and subsequent retraumatisation of eight learners at a publicschool last week,” Mahlangu said.
“We are seeking your intervention as a trusted media platform committed to accountability, justice, and the protection of children’s rights.”
Allegations of Public Humiliation
It is alleged that the school principal undressed the eight learners and forced them to wear old dresses that had been donated to the school because he believed that they should not be wearing pants.
According to Mahlangu, the incident allegedly occurred in full view of others, causing severe emotional distress and trauma.
“This incident has deeply affected not only the children, but their families and the broader community,” Mahlangu stated.
The learners, who identify as part of the LGBTQI+ community, had reportedly been wearing pants for years without issue.
One of the learners described the confusion and emotional toll of the confrontation.
“We haven’t been wearing skirts since we were in grade eight, and obviously, as the years came by, there were some (other school learners) who joined us,” the pupil explained. “People were just being supportive because they know that we’re not comfortable wearing what we are wearing.”
The learner further described being summoned by a school official who also took offence at their gender expression.
“She was like to me, ‘Isn’t it you want to be treated like a boy? So, just take off the earrings, don’t wear earrings, and your hair shouldn’t be as long as a girl. You have to cut your hair down.’”
The pupil said they complied under pressure.
“I was like, but I’m still a girl because I’m still a female. It’s just that my sexuality is not as straight people. You understand? Then they were like, no, you have to abide to the rules and all of that. And I did, I cut my hair, I stopped wearing earrings.”
Meeting with Officials
In response to the incident with the principal, a delegation comprising of Mahlangu, Laly Skhosana of the Laly Skhosana Foundation, Donwell of Trans Guardians Alliance, and queer rights ally Maphori, met with officials from the Office of the MEC, the Institutional Development Support Officer, Department of Education investigators, the Cluster Leader, parents, and the school principal.
Representatives of the School Governing Body were also present.
During that meeting, the delegation was informed that an official investigation had been launched into the principal’s alleged conduct.
While welcoming the investigation, Mahlangu emphasised urgent concerns about the psychological well-being of the affected learners.
“As an interim measure, we demanded that the learners receive counselling and trauma support to help them process the experience they endured,” Mahlangu said. “This request was made in good faith, with the understanding that the best interests of the child must remain central to all interventions.”
Claim That Counselling Was ‘Weaponised’
However, according to Mahlangu, developments since then have raised further alarm.
“Today, the 10th [of February], we were informed that the counselling process that was meant to support the learners has allegedly turned into a coercive exercise,” Mahlangu claimed.
“It is alleged that the children are being pressured to withdraw or drop the charges and allegations against the principal. This development is deeply troubling and has resulted in further retraumatisation of the learners.”
Mahlangu warned that counselling must never be used to silence victims.
“If these allegations are accurate, this constitutes a serious violation of child protection principles and undermines the integrity of the investigation.”
Parents Demand Accountability
Parents of the affected learners have also called for action. “So, what we want is a collective on this table. It’s accountability. And then we want an apology without reservation,” one parent said.
“The apology should be immediate to the entire school because this happened at school. We don’t want it to be prolonged or postponed. No, we want an apology without reservation to the school.”
The parent added that the school should conduct a workshop on gender sensitivity and dress code, noting that the school’s own code of conduct begins with a commitment to inclusivity.
“I read the school code of conduct and… the first paragraph of the school code of conduct speaks about inclusivity.”
A Broader Question
For Mahlangu and other activists, the issue now extends beyond one school in Benoni. It touches on how institutions respond when vulnerable children report alleged abuse of power.
“Given the gravity of this matter and the power imbalance at play, we believe media oversight is now essential to ensure transparency, accountability, and the protection of the learners involved,” Mahlangu said.
The delegation has appealed to media houses and the public to amplify the matter while safeguarding the identities and dignity of the learners.
“We are available to provide further information, documentation, and clarification where required, while ensuring that the identities and dignity of the affected learners remain protected at all times,” Mahlangu concluded.
MambaOnline reached out to the school for comment but has yet to receive a response.
As investigations proceed, the community waits for answers and for reassurance that schools remain places of safety, not stages for shame.
