Latest news with #JusticeforCwecwe
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- The Citizen
AfriForum accuses NPA of playing to public gallery in Cwecwe case
The lobby group was representing the caretaker and the principal of the Bergview College in Matatiele. Johannesburg community members take part in a #JusticeforCwecwe march after the seven-year-old pupil was allegedly raped at Bergview College on 14 October 2024. Picture: Nigel Sibanda AfriForum has accused the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of leading 'innocent people to be convicted in the court of public opinion' in the alleged rape of seven-year-old Cwecwe in the Eastern Cape. The lobby group was representing the caretaker and the principal of the Bergview College in Matatiele, where the alleged rape occurred in October last year. Outrage The alleged rape of the minor ignited national outrage over systemic failures in handling the case after Cwecwe's mother was compelled to turn to social media to address the incident involving her daughter. The NPA has now dropped the case because of insufficient evidence of rape. ALSO READ: Mnchunu admits mistake, apologises to school principal for naming him in alleged rape of Cwecwe Concerning Barry Bateman, spokesperson for AfriForum's private prosecutions unit, said the finding confirmed the accounts of the school's principal, Jaco Pieterse, and the school's caretaker, Malume (pseudonym). 'It is deeply concerning that it has now been confirmed that the Saps and NPA were aware of the evidence, or lack thereof, in the case docket in November 2024. This suggests that the subsequent collection of buccal samples constituted an abuse of process. 'Our assessment of the facts worryingly suggests as the only reasonable inference that the authorities have allowed themselves to be intimidated by nameless and faceless keyboard warriors into investigating a case, despite there being no conclusive evidence of rape or sexual assault included in the docket after examination of the victim. This led to innocent people to be convicted in the court of public opinion,' Bateman said. Evidence Bateman added that police detectives should be 'guided by evidence, not public opinion'. 'It is the evidence that must persuade a court of law and bring justice to victims of crime, not the irrelevant utterances of anonymous social media detectives. 'If the authorities fail to provide a clear explanation of what happened, it may set a precedent in which an aggrieved party with the ability to rally social media supporters, politicians, and lobby groups can direct an investigation and identify the suspects. This would clearly be an abuse of the criminal justice system and has provided an impetus to take action against politicians, social media detectives, and influencers who convicted our clients of rape,' Bateman said. Last month, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu in a letter addressed to AfriForum's advocate Gerrie Nel admitted that he 'falsely identified' Pieterse, the principal of Bergview College in Matatiele as a suspect in the alleged rape of Cwecwe. ALSO READ: Justice for Cwecwe: AfriForum slams 'social media detectives' as outrage swells
The South African
17-05-2025
- The South African
NPA gives Cwecwe the thumbs down
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. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
28-04-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
‘Freedom Day represents the triumph of the human spirit over oppression'
Social activist Mamello Segale discussed the importance of Freedom Day and its impact on the lives of South Africans. 'Freedom Day represents the triumph of the human spirit over oppression. It's a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for our freedom and a call to continue striving for true equality and justice,' she described. She further noted that Freedom Day (April 27) commemorates the first democratic elections in South Africa in 1994, marking the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new era. She added that the day also emphasises the country's transition to democracy. For her, celebrating this day is essential because it reminds people of the progress made and the work still needed to achieve equality. She stated that it inspires ongoing activism and advocacy for social justice, ensuring that the sacrifices of those who fought for freedom are not forgotten. Growing up, I saw the impact of systemic inequality on my community. Witnessing injustices and hearing stories of resilience sparked my passion for activism. 'I wanted to contribute to creating a more just and equitable society. Freedom Day's legacy reminds me of the power of collective action and the importance of holding leaders accountable. It motivates me to continue fighting for the rights of marginalised communities and pushing for systemic change,' Mamello expressed. She explained that her grandparents were involved in the struggle against apartheid, and their stories of resilience and sacrifice inspired her to continue their work. 'Their experiences shaped my understanding of the importance of freedom and equality. They were staying at Bekkersdal when Winnie Mandela came with the Xhosa,' she said. Even though it was a long struggle against inequality, Mamello explained that some challenges persist in fully achieving freedom, including poverty, inequality, and lack of access to education and healthcare. She added that systemic issues like corruption and state capture also threaten the progress made towards freedom and equality. While progress has been made, there's still much work to be done. The ideals of equality, justice, and democracy are not yet fully realised. 'Continued activism and advocacy are necessary to push for their full implementation. 'To engage the youth, I share stories of the struggle for freedom, highlighting the role young people played. I also emphasise the importance of their continued involvement in shaping the country's future and ensuring the realisation of freedom and equality. Community organising is crucial. It empowers communities to take action, builds solidarity, and pushes for systemic change. By working together, communities can keep the spirit of Freedom Day alive and continue striving for a more just society,' she said. Mamello is involved in various awareness campaigns such as access to education, the Justice for Cwecwe movement, and Water is Life. 'Let us honour the sacrifices of those who fought for our freedom by continuing to strive for a society that is truly free and equal for all. Let us work together to address the challenges we still face and build a brighter future for generations to come,' she concluded. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
