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National Police commissioner, Fannie Masemola, has tasked the Head of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Investigations unit to oversee the ongoing investigation into the alleged rape of seven year-old girl in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape.
The seven year-old girl was allegedly raped in October last year and to date no arrests have been made.
National police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, says Major General Mmantsheke Lekhele is currently meeting with the investigating team to ensure that the chain of evidence in this case is properly preserved.
“General Lekhele will meet with persons of interest and key stakeholders such as the NPA to ensure justice and the finalization of the matter. Bringing criminals to book and putting perpetrators of crime behind bars remains a key priority for the SAPS. We assure the nation that justice will prevail and those who are found to be guilty of any offence will be brought to book.”
There has been a countrywide outpouring of support for the seven-year-old.
Thousands of people took part in a march in Durban in support of the girl. In a memorandum handed over to the KwaZulu-Natal Education Department, they asked authorities to expedite the case. One of the marchers, Nokthula Cele, says they are demanding answers because schools should be safe spaces.
“They are going very slowly. We do not know if maybe it’s because it’s a black student or what, but now we have reached a point where we say we demand answers. Even here at the Education Department. There are many cases of young children being abused. Our children now don’t know if schools are a safe space for them or not.”
In Cape Town, a memorandum of grievances including requests for the establishment of a national registry to track teachers with criminal records, preventing their employment at other schools, has been handed over to the Western Cape Education Department. Western Cape Education Minister, David Maynier, says the memorandum will be referred to the relevant national departments for action.
Maynier says anyone who has experienced sexual assault of any kind, or if they know of any such case, should report the matter to the relevant authorities.
“We have stringent vetting, of course, of all our teachers, to the extent that there may be allegations made. Those allegations are investigated and the department takes a very severe action against any perpetrators of sexual assault in our schools.”
Different student formations from the North West University added their voices to those calling for justice. The EFF Student Command, SASCO, and other student formations led a march and handed a memorandum of demands at the provincial Department of Education in Mahikeng.
This comes as a petition calling for justice for the victim has gained more than 600 000 signatures.
Omphile Mokoto, from COSAS says, “We will not accept these perpetrators who are using their power to abuse our learners at all times.”
“We don’t care whether you are white, we don’t care whether you are black, whether you are pink. Any perpetrator who is going to abuse our children should be held accountable,” says Theophilus Mashigo from MK Party.
Masego Mokwele, who represents the EFF Student Command adds, “Number one a detailed plan of arrest for prosecution. Number two we demand a comprehensive outline of support services. Number three time line and investigation.”
