JusticeForCwecwe

Justice for Cwecwe
#JusticeforCwecwe jpg
Date	March 28, 2025 (2025-03-28)
Caused by	The alleged rape of a seven-year-old girl, known as "Cwecwe," at Bergview College in Matatiele, Eastern Cape, South Africa, in October 2024. The incident reportedly occurred on school premises while she was waiting for transport after school.
Methods	Physical Protests, Social Media Campaigns, Media Coverage and Public Awareness, Legal and Political Engagement, Community Mobilization, Government Petitions and Letters
Number
1 077 361

#JusticeForCwecwe is a South African social media campaign and public movement that emerged following the alleged sexual assault of a seven-year-old girl, known as Cwecwe, at Bergview College, a private school in Matatiele, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The campaign seeks justice for the victim, demanding accountability from the school and the authorities involved.

The alleged incident

In October 2024, Cwecwe, a seven-year-old girl, was allegedly assaulted on the premises of Bergview College while waiting for transport after school. The victim's family later reported the matter, claiming that the school failed to take appropriate action in response to the incident. Reports indicated that, instead of assisting with the investigation or identifying the alleged perpetrator, the school reportedly offered the family a transfer letter, which was not requested by them.

Public reaction and social media campaign

The alleged rape of seven-year-old "Cwecwe" at Bergview College in Matatiele, Eastern Cape, ignited a nationwide outcry in South Africa, leading to widespread protests, social media campaigns, and calls for justice. In East London, demonstrators, predominantly dressed in black, marched to the Magistrate's Court to submit a memorandum demanding that cases of sexual assault be treated with urgency. Loyiso Lindani, chairperson of the Loyiso Lindani Foundation, expressed exhaustion and frustration over the recurring nature of such incidents, emphasizing the need for immediate action.

On March 31st, 2025 Braamfontein residents, primarily women, took to the streets to demand justice for Cwecwe, a seven-year-old girl who was allegedly raped at Bergview College in Matatiele, Eastern Cape.

Similarly, in Braamfontein, Gauteng, residents took to the streets in solidarity with Cwecwe, highlighting the collective demand for accountability and safer educational environments. Advocacy group Not In My Name International condemned the school's handling of the situation and urged law enforcement to expedite their investigation, emphasizing the necessity of obtaining DNA samples from all staff members to identify the perpetrator. The Eastern Cape Department of Education responded by deregistering Bergview College, citing its failure to provide a safe learning environment and lack of cooperation with authorities. Moreover, a petition demanding justice garnered over 1 077 361 signatures, reflecting the widespread public support for the victim and her family. This collective mobilization underscores the nation's intolerance for gender-based violence and the urgent call for systemic reforms to protect vulnerable individuals within educational institutions.

The school's handling of the incident led to widespread public outrage. The hashtag #JusticeForCwecwe gained significant traction on social media, with many people calling for accountability and a thorough investigation into the allegations. The campaign highlighted concerns about the treatment of victims of violence and the responsibilities of educational institutions to protect their students.

Government response

The case quickly gained the attention of South African government officials. Siviwe Gwarube, the Minister of Basic Education, expressed her concern over the incident and confirmed that she had been in contact with provincial officials to demand a thorough investigation. Minister Gwarube emphasized the importance of ensuring that the victim's family receives the justice they deserve.

Fundile Gade, the Eastern Cape Education MEC, also pledged that the provincial department would take appropriate action. Under mounting public pressure, the Eastern Cape Department of Education announced the deregistration of Bergview College, citing its failure to provide a safe environment for students and its failure to comply with required standards for independent schools.

The department also stated that the school's principal had been uncooperative with law enforcement, delaying the investigation. A formal case was opened in October 2024, but progress was hindered by the school's lack of cooperation.

Deregistration of Bergview College

On 1 April 2025, the Eastern Cape Department of Education officially announced the deregistration of Bergview College. The decision followed an internal review of the school's handling of the incident. The department issued a formal statement emphasizing the importance of student safety and confirmed that arrangements were being made to place affected students in other schools.

The deregistration reflected the department's commitment to ensuring that all educational institutions meet the required standards for child protection and student safety.

Ongoing investigations and public support

The case remains under investigation by law enforcement. In response to public concern, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu confirmed that steps were being taken to expedite the investigation and ensure justice was served.

The #JusticeForCwecwe campaign continues to gain support from various public figures and organizations advocating for accountability. Public demonstrations, including a march in Cape Town that took place on 1 April 2025, are planned to raise awareness about the importance of child protection in schools and to call for justice for the victim.