Calls For Justice Intensify In Cwecwe Rape Case As Police Response Faces Growing Criticism

The Cwecwe rape case, have continued to spark outrage and calls for justice, as the police response comes under increasing scrutiny.

The case, involving a rape that took place in October 2024 at Bergview College in Matatiele, Eastern Cape, has faced mounting criticism over the perceived delay in arrests and the slow pace of the investigation.

Frustration Mounts Over Delayed Police Action

During a recent meeting with the South African Police Service (SAPS), Babalwa Mathulelwa, an Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) parliament member, voiced strong concerns over the rape investigation’s handling.

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Mathulelwa, who has been actively involved with the victim’s family, stated that police failed to arrest the rape suspect—the school principal—before initiating their investigation.

She accused the police of mishandling the case by not treating it with the urgency it deserved, particularly after the family’s attempt to open a backup case was blocked by claims of duplication.

Mathulelwa, who was present with the victim’s family during a protest at the school in January 2025, emphasized that the family simply wanted answers and a clear timeline regarding the principal’s arrest over the rape allegation.

“Since October until today, there is no development,” she said, the emotional and psychological toll the delay is having on the victim’s family.

Police Defend Investigation Process

In response to the growing criticism, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola defended the police’s actions, stating that the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit had been thoroughly investigating the case from the beginning.

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Masemola clarified that all necessary procedures had been followed, with exhibits and samples sent to the lab and witness statements taken.

He added that Major General Mmantsheke Lekhele, head of the FCS, had been assigned to oversee the case and ensure it was properly handled at the senior level.

Masemola assured the public that the investigation was ongoing, with further interviews and statements being gathered as part of the process.

He said, “Everything that was necessary was done,” while also emphasizing that SAPS is deeply committed to child protection and ensuring justice for the victim.

Growing Public Demand For Accountability 

As the investigation continues, there is increasing pressure on the police to act swiftly and decisively in cases involving children.

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Deputy Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili reiterated that SAPS operates on an investigation-first, arrest-later policy, stating that arrests are only made when sufficient evidence has been gathered.

While acknowledging public concerns, Mosikili assured the committee that all processes were being followed carefully.

Portfolio Committee Chairperson Ian Cameron expressed the committee’s ongoing commitment to tackling child abuse, stating that more attention needs to be given to such cases while also exploring how to improve law enforcement’s response.

Cameron highlighted the urgency of the matter, noting that three children are murdered every day in South Africa, adding, “This is a tragedy that needs immediate action.”

As calls for justice grow louder, the public, lawmakers, and law enforcement remain on edge, awaiting the next steps in the Cwecwe case. The victim’s family, in particular, is demanding clear answers and accountability from both the police and the authorities involved.

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