South Africans from all walks of life took to the streets this week – with explain on-site for one in East London on Tuesday, 1 April – dressed in black and united in anger. Their rallying cry? Justice for Cwecwe, an eight-year-old girl who was allegedly raped at Bergview College in Matatiele, Eastern Cape last year.
The protest was led by the feminist non-profit organisation, the Loyiso Lindani Foundation. Speaking to explain while holding back tears, the organisation’s chairperson and founder, Loyiso Lindani, said she was “anxious that it is just a matter of time before something even more graphic and horrific happens to another woman or child.”
Her concern is sadly backed by grim stats: in the last five years, Gauteng alone saw over 5,000 child rape cases—but only 4% led to convictions.
Cwecwe’s ordeal began in October 2024 when her parents noticed that she was in pain. A doctor’s visit and medical examinations confirmed that she had been raped.
Despite reporting the case to both the school and police, her family faced silence and dismissal—ironically, even though her mother works for the police.
Social media pressure helped amplify the case, and now the spotlight is firmly on SAPS and the school. Three suspects have been identified, including school principal Jaco Pieterse. Two suspects underwent DNA testing, while Pieterse initially refused—until police confirmed this weekend that he is a suspect and has since been tested.
AfriForum, controversially representing Pieterse via its private prosecution unit, denied he was ever a suspect. But SAPS contradicted that assertion, insisting all suspects—including Pieterse—are under investigation.
While the Eastern Cape Education Department had decided to deregister Bergview College, the decision has since been withdrawn. Meanwhile, SAPS has escalated the case to the national level. Specialist units are now handling the investigation, promising to leave “no stone unturned.”
As the case unfolds, the #JusticeForCwecwe movement has become more than one child’s cry for justice—it’s a symbol for all survivors failed by the system.
Lona is a recent graduate with an Honours degree in Journalism and Media Studies from Wits University. Passionate about storytelling, she is eager to learn, grow, and hone her writing skills.
