Hilton College pupils spark social ire with staged rape pic

A group of pupils from exclusive South African private school have landed themselves in hot water after posting an image on Instagram, which shows a staged rape scene.

Despite being shared on a private Instagram account, the image has made its way onto social media where it has been roundly condemned.

Speaking to the news division of a provincial radio station, Hilton College Marketing Director Keith Fairweather said the school would be taking action against the boys involved.

“We cannot condemn this enough. It flies totally in the face of what the school stands for – our values and what we teach here. We are urgently investigating the matter and view this in the most serious light.

“We will take appropriate disciplinary action once the investigation is complete,” he said.

Among the most high profile people to have commented on the post are recently appointed Mail & Guardian editor-in-chief Verashni Pillay and 5fm DJ Nick Hamman:

I've chaired a debate with Michaelhouse & #HiltonCollege boys on gender. The Hilton boys were so progressive. Sad that's not the norm :-/

— Verashni Pillay (@verashni) October 15, 2015

Assumed the 'youth' were the most clued up when it came to what it is and isn't ok to put on social media. Guess not. #HiltonCollege

— Nick Hamman (@Nick_Hamman) October 15, 2015

Social media law expert Emma Sadleir also weighed in

All I can say about the #HiltonCollege Instagram post is… Thank goodness it's one of the few schools I haven't spoken to. WTF

— Emma Sadleir (@EmmaSadleir) October 15, 2015

Image: Pieter van Marion via Flickr.