Public Outrage as Rape Case of 7-Year-Old Girl Dismissed in Matatiele

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has come under fire after it dismissed the rape case of a 7-year-old girl, known publicly as Cwecwe, who was allegedly assaulted at the gates of Bergview College in Matatiele, Eastern Cape.

The heartbreaking incident, which captured national attention and ignited widespread outrage, has now taken a disappointing turn. According to the NPA, the case was dropped due to what it described as a lack of concrete, physical evidence needed to secure a prosecution. “The matter could not proceed as there was insufficient evidence to meet the threshold required in court,” the NPA stated. Civil society organisations, gender rights activists, and concerned citizens have condemned the decision,