EFF demands justice for alleged rape of little Cwecwe in Matatiele

As the country observed the start of Child Protection Month on 1 May, the EFF says it will not rest until the person involved in the alleged rape of seven-year-old Cwecwe is brought to book.

EFF president Julius Malema visited Cwecwe’s parents over the weekend to express “unwavering solidarity and support” to the family.

Alleged rape

The alleged rape of Cwecwe, ignited outrage over systemic failures in handling the case involving the child.

Cwecwe’s mother was forced to turn to social media after her daughter was allegedly raped in October last year.

“The EFF said it stands “firmly with Cwecwe and her family in their courageous pursuit of justice”.

“What happened to Cwecwe is not only a personal tragedy — it is a reflection of a system that continues to fail our most vulnerable.

“The EFF will not rest until every individual responsible for this barbaric and inhumane act is held accountable. We will ensure that the state institutions which neglected their duty to protect this child are exposed and confronted for their complicity through silence and inaction,” the Red Berets said.

ALSO READ: Mnchunu admits mistake, apologises to school principal for naming him in alleged rape of Cwecwe

Police apology

Last month, police minister Senzo Mchunu admitted that he “falsely identified” the principal of Bergview College in Matatiele as a suspect in the alleged rape of the seven-year-old girl and apologised to the head of the school.

This was in a letter addressed to AfriForum’s advocate Gerrie Nel.

In the letter, Mchunu said the matter attracted “much publicity in mainstream and social media”.

“I have human and personal empathy for your client and any other person who might have been wrongly fingered as a suspect in circumstances where he or they were only persons of interest.

“I categorically state that I never at any stage had an intention to defame your client nor any other person, for that matter. I am prepared to apologise to your client who was incorrectly identified as a suspect in this matter,” Mchunu wrote.

The principal accepted and welcomed Mchunu’s apology.

ALSO READ: Police clarify comments on DNA samples in Cwecwe rape matter