Kwakwatsi, Free State – EFF leader Julius Malema has vowed to launch a private investigation and push for private prosecution in the shocking case of seven-year-old CweCwe, who was allegedly sexually assaulted at Bergview College in October 2024.
The move comes after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) dropped the case, citing inconclusive medical evidence and interviews, a decision that has sparked outrage across the country.
“We will not rest until CweCwe gets justice,” Malema told supporters on May 25 during a community meeting in Kwakwatsi, Free State. “The state has failed her, but the EFF will not.”
Malema’s fierce condemnation of the NPA reflects growing frustration with how South Africa’s justice system handles gender-based violence, especially involving children. He also promised full support to the child’s family, including access to top-tier trauma counseling and medical care.
🔍 A Case That Gripped the Nation
The case gained national attention after it was revealed that the child’s alleged attacker may have been a staff member at the private school. DNA testing of personnel was conducted, but yielded no charges.
“We demand answers. We demand justice,” Malema said. “If the state won’t act, we will.”
The EFF leader also called for public access to the National Sex Offenders Register, arguing that secrecy protects predators and endangers children. His call has reignited debates about transparency, justice, and child protection in South Africa.
⚖️ Systemic Failure or Legal Constraint?
The NPA’s decision has drawn fierce backlash from child rights activists and ordinary citizens, who accuse the justice system of failing vulnerable victims. While prosecutors maintain that they cannot proceed without solid evidence, many believe that the system is not equipped to handle child sexual abuse cases sensitively or effectively.
Malema’s pledge to pursue private legal avenues highlights a growing mistrust in official justice mechanisms and underscores the EFF’s campaign to position itself as a defender of the vulnerable.
