Thousands of students, learners, and activists have taken to the streets across South Africa, demanding justice for a seven-year-old Eastern Cape girl who was brutally raped at school in October 2024. The protesters are calling for swift action against the alleged perpetrator and improved safety measures in schools.
The demonstrators delivered memoranda to education officials, urging them to take immediate action against the alleged rapist and to ensure that schools provide a safe environment for learners. The protesters also demanded faster police action, expressing frustration with the lack of progress in the investigation.
In response to the public outcry, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has assigned Major General Mmantsheke Lekhele, head of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Investigations Unit, to oversee the investigation. However, despite this development, no arrests have been made yet.
The Eastern Cape MEC for Education, Fundile Gade, has announced plans to deregister the school where the incident occurred due to safety violations. However, the school has vowed to challenge this decision in court.The victim’s mother, a police officer, has been cautioned against speaking publicly while the investigation continues.
As the investigation unfolds, South Africans continue to demand justice for the young victim and improved safety measures in schools.