KEY POINTS
- The Eastern Cape Department of Education allows Bergview College to remain open.
- Legal proceedings have begun as the school contests deregistration.
- A multi-agency investigation ensures justice for the victim.
The Eastern Cape Department of Education has decided to withdraw its notice to deregister Bergview College in Matatiele.
This decision comes as the investigation into the rape case of seven-year-old girl Cwecwe continues. The decision was announced on April 2 by the provincial MEC of Education, Fundile Gade, who emphasized the need for ongoing investigations.
However, the MEC noted that the school would remain operational, allowing the authorities time to pursue justice in the highly publicized case. This action was seen as essential to ensure that the investigation proceeds without hindrance. Gade reiterated the department’s commitment to justice for the victim and her family.
MEC Gade stresses justice for victim and public support
The case has attracted widespread attention, with many members of the public voicing their support for Cwecwe and her family.
According to IOL, Gade mentioned having engaged in extensive discussions with various stakeholders, including government officials and law enforcement, to ensure thorough proceedings.
He acknowledged the support the family has received from South African communities. Despite this, Gade clarified that Bergview College operates under a different set of regulations from public schools.
He said that revoking the school’s operating license temporarily was an option, ensuring that the school cooperates with law enforcement while maintaining a safe environment for education.
Legal battle underway as school contests deregistration
Bergview College’s senior management has sought legal recourse to prevent the MEC’s actions. The trustees of the Wizkid Trust, including Daniel Christiaan van Zyl, Lydia van Zyl, and Marilynne Joy Kilian, filed an urgent application for judicial intervention. This application challenges Gade’s decision, pushing for a halt to the deregistration process.
As the case progresses, multiple government bodies become involved in the investigation.
The Ministries of Police, Social Development, Justice, and Education are working together to ensure accountability. Law enforcement agencies have mobilized their Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit (SAPS FCS) to carry out a thorough inquiry.
Additionally, the Ministry of Justice is vetting all staff members at Bergview College.
The MEC for Social Development, Bukiwe Fanta, has personally visited Cwecwe’s family to provide crucial psychosocial support. Gade stated that the department’s primary objective was to expedite the process of justice in this delicate case, with the hope that it would swiftly shift in favor of the victim.
