KEY POINTS
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Police continue to face significant challenges in the investigation of the alleged rape of a seven-year-old girl from Matatiele, with no suspects identified yet.
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The victim’s illness and a lack of clear evidence have contributed to delays, while police are criticized for not clarifying the involvement of the school principal.
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National protests calling for justice for Cwecwe continue to intensify, with widespread public and political pressure on authorities to resolve the case.
The case of the seven-year-old girl from Matatiele, Eastern Cape, who was allegedly raped at her school in October 2024, continues to captivate national attention as police remain unable to identify a suspect.
Despite extensive investigations and public outcry, the lack of clear evidence and obstacles in accessing the victim for further statements have significantly hindered progress.
The case, which has sparked widespread protests across the country, was discussed in a special briefing with Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police on Tuesday.
TheCitizen reports that Lawmakers voiced their frustration over the apparent mishandling of the investigation, demanding swift action to bring the suspect to justice.
“We are deeply concerned about the delays in this case, and it is imperative that those responsible for the victim’s suffering be held accountable,” said one parliamentary member, echoing the sentiments of many South Africans. This case has become a rallying cry for victims of sexual violence across the country, especially as the investigation faces serious setbacks.
Police search for suspect encounters significant obstacles
During the meeting, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola explained the challenges faced by the police in investigating the matter. The case was officially opened on 16 October 2024, but police have struggled to gather sufficient evidence against the suspect.
Minister Mchunu acknowledged the slow response initially but emphasized that police involvement had started as soon as they realized the complexity of the case. “As it became clearer and clearer that it was a complex matter, we could have raised and elevated the investigation much earlier than we did to senior police, which would have created some stability,” he stated.
Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, the deputy national police commissioner, elaborated on the investigation’s difficulties, revealing that statements had been taken from key individuals, including the victim’s family, medical personnel, and school staff. Despite this, the investigation remains stalled. “We have taken 30 statements from various people connected to the case, but we are still struggling to piece the evidence together,” Mosikili said.
Another significant hurdle has been the victim’s health. Police have been unable to secure additional statements from the child due to her illness, which has prevented her from being seen by the forensic social worker who was appointed in October 2024.
There has also been confusion regarding the involvement of Bergview College’s principal, Jaco Pieterse. AfriForum, a prominent lobby group, recently criticized the police for failing to clarify that the principal was not a person of interest. “It can be construed that I said so, but there’s no such in the statement itself,” Mchunu clarified, adding that the principal’s DNA had not been collected due to his absence from the junior school campus during the incident.
