The Free State Department of Education has lashed at learners from the Christaan De Wet Combined Schoo,l where 13 boy learners were burned with hot objects including iron as part of an initiation ritual. This comes after a 13-year-old boy's pictures depicting burn marks on his arm caused social media outrage. It has since been discovered that he was not the only victim but 12 other boys were also burnt.

The department's spokesperson, Howard Ndaba, explained that the four learners behind the alleged gruesome incidents are grade10 learners. He said the four learners will face disciplinary action for bullying and physically harming other learners. "According to some learners, this practice is done as part of a ritual initiating fellow learners so that they are welcome at the school's hostel. Junior learners are being bullied, intimidated and forcefully burned with hot objects on their arms. Those who resist or defy the order are threatened with more severe objects such as hot iron on their chests," said Ndaba.

Ndaba said the matter was also reported to the police for investigation. "This incident was reported to the school authorities and the department by members of Learner Representative Council. The school management and the SGB claim they were not aware of this practice," he added. Makalo Mohale, MEC for education in Free State, said they were disgusted and won't tolerate this kind of behaviour from any of their learners. "This is barbaric and must stop," said the MEC. The parents of the 13 boys have been informed about this incident. "We have opened a criminal case against the four grade 10 learners, plus we are charging them internally within the school. They will be appearing before a disciplinary committee sometime next week." Mohale said, adding that psycho-social support will be provided to 13 learners.