SA Moved by Capetonians Who Filled the CBD to Fight for Bergview College Sexual Assault Victim

• South Africans went all out in support of Bergview College’s 7-year-old sexual assault victim as they protested
• Many people raised awareness both online and offline, while some organised marches to urge the justice system to take action 
• All nine provinces ensured that the young victim’s story was heard, also taking to social media to amplify the message
• Briefly News spoke to three protesters who marched in Cape Town

The Bergview College case continues to gain recognition from foreign nationals on social media.

South Africans are determined to get justice for the young girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted at school.

Capetonians fill the CBD

On 1 April, people from Cape Town planned a march to protest against the South African justice system. Like the other eight provinces, Capetonians stood up for the Western Cape and joined the fight to seek justice for the assaulted student from Matatiele, Eastern Cape.

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During this dire period, some South Africans were reminded of the disturbing case of Uyinene Mrwetyana, who was sexually assaulted and murdered at a post office in Claremont. Mzansi fought tooth and nail for the UCT student’s justice as they held marches and serious campaigns to spread the word.

Cape Town residents filled the CBD, even after struggling to find a meeting point, until the Cape Peninsula University of Technology offered their parking lot. Young and old, women and men, united with the same goal: to fight until justice was served.

Watch the TikTok video below:

Protesters share their views

Three protesters shared their views on the Bergview College’s sexual assault case. A young man, Ntokozo Ngxwashu said:

"I am a brother to a 13-year- old girl. I have a mother and a girlfriend and this could happen to either of them and which is why it affects me, this is why I felt the need to go to the march for Justice for Cwecwe and all other GBV victims and survivors of sexual assault, specifically.

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"GBV knows no boundaries or limitations, it affects all races, ages, even social classes, literally impacts everyone no one should wait it to happen to them or their loved ones in order to recognise the reality and severity of this issue in the country, in fact it must be taken as a national disaster, because even the justice system is failing to protect our communities from this sickening reality, it therefore need serious intervention from everyone, which is why I found it necessary for me, my mom and my sister to go to the march #JusticeForAllVictims #JusticeForCwecwe.”

Owam Mbila was proud of how Capetonians showed up for Cwecwe:

“We all came together to challenge the justice system. There were hundreds of is all united and ready to spread awareness on the bizarre case.”

A feminist and GBV activist urged people to stop sharing Cwecwe’s pictures on social media:

“I am going to lose my mind if I see someone show Cwecwe’s face. Why do you feel the need to post the child? Post the hashtag and not show her face. Her mother never posted Cwecwe’s pictures when she addressed the incident. Why are we not protecting this child? Cwecwe will grow up and see her pictures circulating. use your brain, she’s a child and we need to protect her.”

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WCED shares stats of sexual assault

The Western Cape Education Department shared the numbers of sexual assault cases reported:

“In terms of cases of serious misconduct (sexual assault) reported to the WCED resulting in disciplinary procedures, we have seen a decrease in cases in 2024/25 (8 cases) compared to 2023/24 (15 cases).”

SA moved by Capetonians’ fight

Social media users were impressed by the mass marches and shared their thoughts about the protests:

@_ingss explained:

“I saw this on someone's live and decided to leave work to join because it could've been anyone, let alone my nieces, who are in crèche and primary. It doesn't have to happen to you for you to stand up.”

@_usanele_ manifested:

“In years to come, her story will be documented in history textbooks.”

@HooEweBee commented:

“Some of us are old enough to remember the Uyinene protests. I hope we achieve lasting action this time around.”

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@LushLuxe wrote in the comments section:

“The Principal's name is Jaco Pieterse, and AfriForum is representing him. He is refusing to provide a DNA sample #JusticeForCweCwe.”

@Ndeshipewaa assured Mzansi was putting in a good fight:

“One day she’s going to grow up and see this, and it’s all going to help her heal.”

@YT: _MissThato sighed after her findings:

“And no white people in sight.”

@nicolekayleenjosephs decided that women need to fill bigger seats:

“We need a female president who will fight for us women.”

Toddler sends message to assault victim 

A three-year-old girl shared a heartfelt message with the Bergview College student who was sexually assaulted. The toddler assured her that all would be well and that her perpetrator would be arrested soon.

The victim was also serenaded, and many South Africans were moved by the kind gesture. The toddler’s mother spoke to Briefly News about her feelings towards the case.

Source: Briefly News