Thousands of young people marched through the Cape Town CBD yesterday to the Western Cape Education Department in support of the #JusticeforCwecwe movement.
Safety in schools across the country is currently under the spotlight following the alleged rape of a 7-year-old girl named Cwecwe at her school in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape in October last year.
The incident came to light after the girl’s mother took to social media in a desperate attempt to seek justice for her daughter as the alleged rapist had yet to be identified and arrested.
The protest saw young people dressed in black carrying placards calling for justice for the girl and other victims.
Protests in solidarity took place across the country.
People’s Post spoke to a few of the protesters.
Bhongolethu Ndolela said he joined the protest to show support for all victims of sexual abuse.
“I am here to support. This young girl was violated we want answers.”
Another protester, Mpho Mathe, said: “There is strength in numbers, and we want to prevent one of our sisters going through this in future. None of this is right.”
Rosa Sayidini said schools should be a place of safety.
“We have been shouting and saying we need justice for kids in schools. That’s a no brainer. Justice shouldn’t take this long. Kids should be at school, not scared at home. Women and children are still unsafe. It is time to address the elephant in the room and that is men who think like rapists and men who are rapists. Stop blaming women and children for what men are up to.”
David Maynier, MEC for Education, said he was “deeply disturbed” by the incident.
“I accepted a memorandum on Tuesday afternoon and will refer it to the relevant national departments for action. We are aware that the Eastern Cape Department of Education as well as police are investigating the incident.
“We urge them to ensure the perpetrator is found and faces the full might of the law. Our children must be able to learn in a safe environment when at school.”
Maynier appealed to victims of sexual assault to report the matter.
“While this incident has occurred in another province, I urge anyone who becomes aware of an incident of abuse or assault in a Western Cape school to report this immediately to the police and to our Safe Schools hotline on 0800 45 46 47 toll free for assistance.”
