30 March 2025
The ANC Study Group on Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities strongly condemns the heinous crime committed against 7-year-old Cwecwe, a child who has been subjected to the most brutal form of violence. We stand in full solidarity with her and her mother, who has been tirelessly fighting for justice, and we demand urgent action from law enforcement and the justice system.
We have been closely following the case, and the facts that have emerged from investigative reports raise serious concerns about the delays, failures, and possible obstruction of justice.
It has been established that:
- Cwecwe was raped by an unknown man and is unable to recall who the perpetrator was.
- On the day of the incident, three men had access to her—the gardener, the driver, and the school principal.
- DNA evidence was collected from the victim, and two of the three men—the gardener and the driver—have complied with authorities and provided DNA samples for comparison.
- However, the school principal has blatantly refused to submit his DNA for testing, raising serious questions about what he may be hiding.
- Instead of facing proper legal scrutiny, the principal has received the backing of racist organizations such as AfriForum, which have come out in defence of his refusal to comply with the investigation.
This raises the urgent and critical question: Why is this man being protected? If he has nothing to hide, why is he actively avoiding DNA testing?. Why has law enforcement not compelled him to submit to the same process as the other two men? The refusal to cooperate with the law enforcement in this case sends a dangerous message that certain individuals can evade justice while a young Black child and her family are left to suffer in limbo.
It is also worth noting that since the incident was reported, the principal has solely been worried about the reputation of the school and not the safety of the other children that are attending the same school. Amongst factors that raise concerns about the principal in this case is the fact that he has never treated his case with the urgency and sensitivity that it deserves.
We demand that the authorities treat this man as a suspect and subject him to the full investigative process, including DNA testing and further questioning. His refusal to cooperate should not be tolerated, and law enforcement must act without bias, fear, or Favor.
The failure to act swiftly and decisively in this case is a direct violation of the rights of the child, as enshrined in the Constitution of South Africa (1996), and mostly Section 28 guarantees every child the right to be protected from maltreatment, neglect, abuse, or degradation. The state has a duty to ensure that justice is served swiftly when a child’s rights are violated.
Furthermore, the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act (Act No. 32 of 2007) defines rape as a serious offense and establishes the legal duty to investigate and prosecute such crimes thoroughly.
Mandates DNA testing as part of forensic investigations to identify perpetrators. The refusal of a suspect to comply with DNA testing must be challenged in court and should not be tolerated
As the ANC Study Group on Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, we are actively lobbying for urgent intervention at the highest levels of government. We call upon the Minister responsible for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, and Minister of police minister of Justice to lend their voices to this fight and ensure that justice is served without delay.
Justice delayed is justice denied!
Issued by the Whip of the ANC Study Group on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Cde: Tshehofatso Meagan Chauke-Adonis
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