No foreign DNA found in Cwecwe: SAPS

April 4, 2025 126

Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, has revealed that no foreign DNA was found when Cwecwe was tested as per procedure.

Giving an update on investigations into the little girl’s rape, Minister Mchunu called for calm while also detailing the complexity and sensitivity of the case.

Among the challenges the police are contending with is the lack of witnesses, says the Minister.

His assertions come as South Africans across the country demand justice for the little girl who was raped last year while doing grade one, allegedly at school in Matatiele.

The news of her rape broke the internet when her mom relayed the tragic story in a podcast.

Scores of relentless young people have been protesting across the country since then, with students from the University of Johannesburg today marching to the SABC – urging the public broadcaster to commission educational programmes that will teach the public about Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) as well as sexual abuse.

@mlondy_ndwandwe #hoperevolutionpodcast #justiceforCwecwe ♬ original sound – Mlondy

Following backlash on the handling of the case, Minister Mchunu has conceded that the minor’s docket could have been better handled when the matter was reported last year.

“Based on what was contained in the docket at that time, the Senior State Prosecutor declined to prosecute, citing insufficient evidence as the reason, this was in November 2024,” the Minister told journalists.

“The matter had firstly been handled by an Investigating Officer stationed at the Matatiele Police station, then was transferred to a Brigadier at the Provincial Office before being assigned to the current Investigating Officer – the docket could have been better prepared. We then realised that we needed to reinforce the team and have a dedicated officer on the matter,” he added.

Mchunu has reiterated that three persons of interest have since emerged and further DNA testing is underway.

The Minister also assured the public that they are thoroughly investigating the case and all relevant role players are being consulted.

“I must stress that due to the sensitive nature of this case and the legal processes involved, we cannot disclose further details at this stage.”

Yesterday, Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and People with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, revealed that medical reports suggest the Cwecwe may have been violated more than once.

Chikunga says they will be interviewing more pupils at the private institution to determine if any of them have also fallen victim to sexual assault.

A law firm from Bloemfontein has offered to assist Cwecwe’s mother, Thandekile Mtshizana, launch a civil case against the authorities for how they dealt with the little girl’s ordeal.

@SAPoliceService #SenzoMchunu @DOJCD_ZA @PresidencyZA @CyrilRamaphosa @MYANC @GovernmentZA @ANCWLeague This is a valid question 🤔🤔 does everything first has to go viral on social media before Govt. can take South Africans’ matters seriously??

Does it?? https://t.co/1nHZuvup5w

— @ BizGuru (@BizGuru4) April 4, 2025