Two Western Cape teenagers have won their fight against Oakdale Agricultural School after the High Court ruled the school’s punishment for vaping was excessive, humiliating and unlawful.
The case centred on two Grade 10 pupils, identified as *L and *M, both promising rugby players selected to represent the South Western District. The boys, who attend the school on scholarships and live in its hostel, had twice been caught with vapes, first in 2023 and again in August 2024.
Initially, they were suspended from the hostel for six weeks after the first incident. But when they were caught again, the school’s governing body escalated the matter, issuing a permanent expulsion from the hostel, as reported by News24. Both admitted to breaking the rules, but their parents argued the punishment went far beyond what the school’s code of conduct allowed.
M’s father attempted to appeal but was told he had no right to do so. Attorneys were then appointed to challenge the ruling, pointing out that the sanction was never referred to the provincial head of department for confirmation, as required by law. L’s parents also met with the school principal, who admitted the penalty was disproportionate and harsher than any previous case but insisted that the governing body would have the final say.
Cape {town} Etc Discount Alert!
Unlock Cape Town’s best experiences for half the price! From unforgettable adventures to hidden gems and mouthwatering restaurants, these limited-time deals won’t last long. Snag your discount before they’re gone!
When the governing body refused to change course, the parents’ legal team warned that the sanction would have devastating effects on the boys’ education and well-being. Still, the school stood firm, even as its lawyers acknowledged that new disciplinary proceedings would be needed in line with regulations.
The second round of hearings saw the hostel expulsion dropped, but fresh sanctions piled on: the loss of bursaries, a ban from leadership positions for the rest of their school careers, and suspension from all school sports, activities, and events until mid-2025. Judge Gayaat Da Silva Salie later noted this meant the pupils were stripped of ‘core aspects of school life’ on top of already serving an eight-week hostel suspension.
By March this year, the boys had already endured 15 weeks of expulsion, exclusion from sports and social isolation. The judge ruled the school had overstepped its authority, finding the sanctions not only disproportionate but also procedurally flawed.
She declared the punishment invalid and set it aside, stressing that the boys had been subjected to cumulative and unlawful penalties.
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join!
Also read:
Picture: Google Maps / Screenshots
