National outrage grows calling for Justice for Cwecwe.

National Outrage Grows as Family Demands Justice in Shocking School Assault Case.

A distressing case of alleged sexual assault at Bergview College in Matatiele, Eastern Cape, has ignited widespread outrage and calls for justice, nearly six months after the incident was reported. 

The family of seven-year-old Cwecwe, the victim, remains in limbo as the South African Police Service (SAPS) investigation struggles to gain traction.

The alleged assault occurred on October 14, 2024, while Cwecwe waited for school transport. Her mother, a rape survivor herself, reported that Cwecwe returned home visibly distressed, complaining of stomach pain, with her trouser zipper undone. A medical examination confirmed severe sexual abuse.

Despite the damning evidence, no arrests have been made as of March 29, 2025. Sources claim that the school's principal has hindered the investigation by refusing to submit his DNA for testing. Allegations of Bergview College obstructing the probe have intensified scrutiny, with critics accusing the institution of withholding crucial information.

Adding to the family's anguish, the school issued Cwecwe's parents an unrequested transfer letter shortly after the assault, effectively expelling the child. The decision was met with public outrage and seen as an attempt to evade accountability. In response, the Eastern Cape Department of Education deregistered Bergview College on March 28 for failing to meet safety standards.

Cwecwe's mother has taken her fight to the public, speaking out on the Hope Revolution Podcast and calling for urgent action. Advocacy groups, including Women For Change and the United Democratic Movement (UDM), have rallied behind her, alongside government leaders such as Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube and Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade. The #JusticeForCwecwe campaign continues to gain momentum online, as South Africans demand accountability and systemic reforms to better protect schoolchildren.

While Bergview College's closure marks a step forward, the lack of arrests and the principal's refusal to cooperate leave both Cwecwe's family and the broader community anxiously awaiting justice. The family's fight for justice serves as a stark reminder of the need for urgent reforms to ensure the safety and protection of children in educational institutions.

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