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News

Military deployment mars justice for Cwecwe protest

todayApril 8, 2025 61 1

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The deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members in Matatiele marred the Eastern Cape leg of the justice for Cwecwe protests.

As a result, the EFF has written to the Speaker of the National Assembly demanding answers for the move, while ActionSA directly asked the Defence Ministry to account.

Ordinary South Africans have also slammed the decision, saying it brings back horrible memories of the COVID-19 lockdown where some South Africans lost their lives in the hands of heavy-handed military and police officials.

Meanwhile, Tshwane residents were among thousands of South Africans who took to the streets, calling for improved handling of abuse cases.

The #JusticeForCwecwe Pretoria leg of the national march, which was instigated by Truth and Solidarity Movement President, Mehmet Vefa Dag, commenced a bit brittle early this morning, but quickly gained strength in numbers –  moving across the central business district towards the Pretoria Central Police Station, attracting onlookers along the way.

The peaceful protest was met with heavy police presence standing by guarding against potential chaos.

The one police officer, who spoke to YNews under anonymity, remarked that some citizens lack patience.

He says some cases as sensitive as Cwecwe’s need to be afforded a steady approach, which may require lengthy amounts of time to solve effectively.

He, nonetheless, commended the residents for exercising their right to protest, also recommending that they approach the Supreme Court of Appeal to escalate their issues.

The group marched to the Pretoria Central Police Station, where they handed their list of demands.

Amongst some of their concerns is what they deem improper handling of Cwecwe’s case by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. They demanded that he be sacked for this.

One of the handful men who were at the protest lamented the low conviction rate following a recent revelation by the Teddy Bear Clinic that out of over 5 000 child abuse cases reported in the past five years, only 4% have resulted in convictions.

The young man says he foresees a prolonged low conviction rate for as long as the judiciary “elects leaders purely based on their gender and not actual merit”.

“For as long as we have people in leadership based on my gender, we won’t get any justice. Some people actually find a way to tweak the system to suit them. Look at how everything has unfolded ever since this case started; why is there no credibility, openness, and transparency  from our leaders? I feel like this is why the country has such a low conviction rate,” says Vuyisile Mali.

Many on social media have also expressed their dissatisfaction with Minister Mchunu’s conduct, accusing him of telling fibs in Cwecwe’s case.

Protestors also called for the immediate arrest of alleged perpetrator, Jaco Pieterse, who is the Bergview College principal where Cwecwe was allegedly raped.

One of the female protestors expressed disappointment at the country’s justice system, describing being a woman in South Africa as an extreme sport.

Tsakane Matlala (36), who is a mother of three girls, slams the situation in the country as appalling and says she feels vulnerable just living in it.

She says her support for the march isn’t just for Cwecwe, but for countless others who get physically violated in the country by predators who go unpunished.

“In some countries you won’t even think of touching a woman inappropriately, because the justice system is that intense. Some people get beheaded. In SA you still have to submit DNA samples, go to court, and go to trial; you can even get bail. I do not feel safe in South Africa. I want to take my girls and get out of here,” says Matlala.

She says it’s unfortunate that Cwecwe is one of the many sacrificial lambs, who put a spotlight on the country’s status quo in terms of sexual misconduct.

Another protestor, Elvis Ndlovu, urged parents to keep a close eye on their children.

The father of two teenage boys believes men should also play a role in the fight against child and women abuse.

He says if he just sits back and does nothing to fight against the scourge, his children might give in to the twisted narrative that abuse and femicide is normal.

He says for as long as he can help it, he will ensure to support the call to justice for victims and hopefully have a hand in deterring future cases by pressuring potential predators out of committing such crimes.

He says the justice for Cwecwe march should be a global testament that South Africa takes the wellbeing of children and women seriously.

“As a parent, I would advise other parents to take meticulous care of their children. These days there are too many rape cases that the country is dealing with. Keep a close eye on your own children, especially when they have to undress, do not allow neighbours or any other person to be around them when that happens. Don’t be too trusting and just leave your kids with neighbors and uncles. Make it a point to take great care of your own kids because you love them,” adds Ndlovu.

One 30-year-old mother expressed her dissatisfaction with men’s participation in the protest.

Claudette Masete says not enough men are vocal about their stance on sexual misconduct cases in the country, forgetting that any one can end up in Cwecwe’s situation, irrespective of their gender.

The concerned mother of a 7-year-old girl says too many men are quick to speak out on social media platforms, yet lack the courage to make a physical appearance to assert themselves.

“I feel like our men are quiet; our brothers are just quiet. There isn’t enough noise. What are we doing about it? Ranting on social media and not having an actual physical appearance to do something about it and assert your voice is pretty much fighting a silent fight. I feel like we could really come out in numbers and make our collective voices heard, not just as women, who have girl children and sisters, but because this could happen to anyone,” says Masete.

The police in Pretoria have promised to consider the demands of the protestors, who dispersed after handing over the list of their demands to the Pretoria Central Police Station Commander.

The marchers proceeded through the streets of South Africa’s capital city peacefully despite a strong police presence.

Their protest was one of many, which were held in various parts of the country.

Some learners even skipped school to make their voice heard, calling for a safer society.

One learner, Elana Baloyi, says she lives in fear hoping she doesn’t fall victim to sexual violation.

Baloyi is a pre-matric pupil at Solomon Mahlangu Freedom School in Mamelodi and came with fellow pupils.

“You never know when or how it might happen or when you’ll be next. So we came here to say no to rape, no more victims. School is where we should be safe because I am also in school. Everyone in school should be safe. Justice for Cwecwe,” said Baloyi.

One of the protestors, Retshepile Mashego, says they will take to the streets, again, should their demands not be addressed in two weeks as agreed with Brigadier Hlengani Mashaba.

“With regards to their time we didn’t actually give them a choice. We told them that we gonna come back after 14 days, should we not get an answer or see any action,” explains Mashego.

Among the protestors other demands was a call for a thorough investigation into Cwecwe’s rape case; the immediate release of the National Registry for Sexual Offenders and for the national SAPS GBV hotline to be revamped, amongst other things.

In Soweto, members of the Mofolo South Youth Forum handed over a memorandum of demands to the Orlando Police Station, urging the police and government to start taking cases of GBV seriously.

President of the forum, Xolani Madida, says culprits of sexual offences in schools should be dealt with accordingly.

The group of close to a hundred had marched from the Bara Mall and were met by the station commander, who’s promised to heed their call and revert to them in the next 14 days. Written by Odirile Rabolao

Written by: Lindiwe Mabena

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