Carrying signs with slogans such as “She is only 7” and “Justice for Cwecwe,” the cries of “We want justice” echoed through the streets of Pretoria, Durban, and Johannesburg.
“Why must we resort to such extreme actions? It’s unbelievable; it’s outrageous, it’s insane. We shouldn’t have to shout this loudly to be acknowledged,” expressed Kim Shandu, a Cape Town student who feels deeply disillusioned with South Africa’s justice system.
Janine de Vos, a mother of two who participated in the Cape Town protest, shared a similar view with AFP, stating, “Our justice system consistently lets us down. I have absolutely no trust in it, and there needs to be action taken, with someone held accountable for what is happening to our children.”
Cwecwe, now 8 years old, was reportedly raped on the grounds of Bergview College in October 2024 while waiting for her transportation home. The case gained significant attention after her mother publicly shared their pursuit of justice about two weeks ago.
Despite the widespread outrage, no arrests have been made to date. However, South Africa’s police minister, Senzo Mchunu, announced last week that the investigation is ongoing, with three suspects identified, including school staff.
This incident is just one of many that have occurred in South Africa over the years, often accompanied by sluggish judicial processes.
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In a separate case, police reported on Tuesday, April 1, the arrest of a primary school teacher accused of raping a 13-year-old student in northern South Africa.
According to United Nations statistics, one in three women in South Africa experiences violence or sexual abuse during their lifetime.
From 2023 to 2024, out of 42,500 reported rape cases, police data reveals that 17,000 involved children. Yet, only 449 child rape cases were taken to trial during that period.
