Public sentiment against the civil rights organisation AfriForum has reached a boiling point following its defense of the principal involved in the alleged rape of a seven-year-old girl at Bergville College in the Eastern Cape.
The case, which has sparked nationwide protests and widespread condemnation, has drawn heavy criticism from various political figures and social justice groups.
In the latest development, Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade decided to withdraw the registration of Bergville College after the rape incident, which occurred in October 2023. The seven-year-old victim, identified as Cwecwe, was allegedly assaulted at the school by the principal, who has since come under intense scrutiny.
Police investigations are ongoing, with the principal and two other individuals being asked to provide DNA samples.The decision by Gade has sparked legal action from the college’s board of trustees, which has filed for an urgent interdict in the High Court in Makhanda. The board, led by Chairperson Daniel van Zyl, argues that the deregistration process has not followed the necessary legal procedures as outlined in the South African Schools Act.
They claim that the MEC failed to provide the required notice and reasons for the withdrawal and did not give the school a chance to make representations. The court will now decide whether the deregistration process can proceed or if the school will be allowed to continue operating while a review of the decision is underway. As tensions mount, public protests across the country have intensified.
On Tuesday, the Justice for SA non-profit organization led a march to the Education Department in Johannesburg, demanding justice for Cwecwe and other children who have suffered similar atrocities.
The march was part of a broader movement, with demonstrations held in several parts of the country. Protesters voiced their frustration with the slow pace of justice and called for immediate arrests in the case. Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane echoed the calls for justice, adding his voice to the growing demands for swift action. "We cannot allow these crimes to continue," he said, as protesters chanted for action rather than words. The Education Department's response has been one of urgency, with calls for arrests being amplified daily.
However, it is AfriForum's involvement in the case that has stirred the most outrage. The organisation has come to the defense of the Bergville College principal, challenging the police’s claim that he is a suspect. AfriForum has called on law enforcement to provide evidence supporting the principal's involvement in the rape.
This stance has sparked a fierce backlash from politicians and civil society, with ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula condemning AfriForum’s defense of the accused. Mbalula described AfriForum's position as a "moral indictment on society," arguing that the organisation is shielding a suspected predator instead of standing for justice. "In moments of such horror, there is no race, no politics — only humanity," Mbalula said, adding that it was time for action against a system that continues to fail women and children.
He called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of all involved in the crime, further demanding a thorough investigation by the police.The ANC Secretary-General also pledged the party's full support for Cwecwe and her family, stressing that justice for the victim was not just about accountability, but about sending a strong message that society must protect its most vulnerable members.
The case has also prompted a response from Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who reassured the public that the police were treating the case with the utmost urgency. As the investigation progresses, calls for justice and accountability grow louder, and the pressure on AfriForum continues to mount.
As protests and public outcry show no signs of slowing, it remains to be seen how the legal and political battles surrounding this case will unfold. What is certain, however, is that the community demands swift and decisive action.