NPA gives Cwecwe the thumbs down

The South African

17-05-2025

On 17 May 2025, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said no one would be prosecuted in the Eastern Cape sexual assault case. The case rocked the country earlier this year as #JusticeforCwecwe topped social media trends and news headlines.
In March, a mother from Matatiele, EC, took to TikTok to allege that her seven-year-old daughter had been raped on school grounds. The woman claimed she had reported the matter to the police but the case was dismissed. Her allegations sparked public outrage, which resulted in both the police and the NPA being called to account.
'The National Prosecuting Authority NPA confirms that in November 2024, a case docket was presented to prosecutors in Matatiele Magistrates' Court as well as to the case manager at the Matatiele Thuthuzela Care Centre in the Eastern Cape. The docket contained information with suspicions of sexual assault on a minor girl', said NPA spokesperson, Mthunzi Mhaga.
Mhaga said his office closely examined the details that had been presented in the docket of Cwecwe's case and had to make a decision based on the proof that was available.
'The prosecutors assessed the contents thereof and concluded that there was insufficient evidence upon which a successful prosecution could be instituted as no conclusive evidence of rape/sexual assault could be found after an interview and examination conducted on the minor girl', said Mhaga.
Following this development, Mhaga said the EC Director of Public Prosecutions requested to view the docket. Thereafter, prosecutors in the DPP office relooked at the matter and confirmed the decision made by the prosecutors in Matatiele.
The NPA said the decision was communicated with the investigation officers of the case. According to Mhaga, the docket was then returned to the police officers.
'The DPP's office did not release a public statement with regards to their decision at the time. In addition, doing so could have potential to compromise any ongoing police investigations', said Mhaga.
On 8 April 2025, marches in honour of #JusticeforCwecwe took place in various parts of the country. Child protection organisations said the marches were to put pressure on authorities to make an arrest on the case.
Mhaga said they were doing extensive work behind the scenes at the time. He said the NPA were unable to share the details with the public then. However, he said the NPA is now willing to share some information.
'In view of the public outcry and interest generated since the matter resurfaced in April 2025, the NPA has decided to communicate the decision of the prosecutors in the Eastern Cape Division. We can also indicate that the police have since resubmitted the docket to the DPP's office for further consideration', said Mhaga.
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