Minister for women, youth and people with disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga says the police may have bungled the rape case involving a seven-year-old Matatiele pupil, known as “Cwecwe”. Chikunga was responding to a recent parliamentary question from IFP MP Liezl van der Merwe, who asked her whether she had found evidence of systemic failure in the collaborative efforts of her department, the SA Police Service and the department of basic education in responding to the case. Chikunga, who oversees the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, visited the family of the girl earlier in 2025 to offer her support.
Despite the uproar stirred by news of the attack, which allegedly occurred at the child’s school in October 2024, and nationwide protests demanding justice for Cwecwe, the state has not yet been able to make a breakthrough. “It is noted that the SA Police Service did not respond with agility at a point when the case was reported as purported by the National Strategic Plan on Gender-based Violence and Femicide, and that there was a delay in responding,” Chikunga said in her response. “This may have compromised evidence and probably led to further trauma to the child and her family.
“Eventually, a thorough investigation was conducted. “The report indicated that no foreign DNA was found at that point. “SAPS committed to further investigate the matter.” In April, Chikunga visited Matatiele amid the outcry.
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She was supported by Eastern Cape social development MEC Bukiwe Fanta, the Matatiele mayor, the district mayor and social workers. In line with the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, Chikunga commended the interventions of the departments of social development and basic education.
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