CweCwe Rape Case: Julius Malema Promises to Pursue Private Prosecution After NPA Drops Charges

• Julius Malema has vowed to get justice for Eastern Cape youngster, CweCwe, even if it means pursuing a private prosecution
• The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader is unhappy that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) dropped the case
• The NPA decided not to charge anyone for the rape of the seven-year-old as it didn't have enough evidence to do so

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

FREE STATE – Julius Malema isn’t going to let the CweCwe matter fade into obscurity.

The leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has promised to purse a pursue a private prosecution in the rape case of the little girl.

The seven-year-old girl, who has been referred to as CweCwe, was reportedly raped in October 2024, but the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) dropped the case due to insufficient evidence.

CweCwe’s mother originally claimed that her daughter was raped on the premises of the Bergview Primary School on a specific day in October 2024.

That led to police naming the principal as a suspect, which led to public outrage and even protests across the country. After DNA samples were taken from him and other staff members, the NPA dropped the case and decided not to prosecute anyone.

Malema vows to seek justice for CweCwe

Following the outrage caused by the NPA’s decision to drop the case, Malema promised that he would get justice for the little girl.

Speaking to supporters in Ward 16 of Kwakwatsi, Free State, on Sunday, 25 May, Malema condemned the NPA’s decision, saying that children and women needed to be protected.

“Let’s protect our children and women, let’s make sure South Africa is safe for them,” he said.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Red Berets then promised that the EFF would pick up where the NPA left off.

“They took a decision not to prosecute people who raped Cwecwe. We are going to pursue private prosecution on behalf of the family, and we are going to make sure Cwecwe gets the best medical care so that she doesn’t relive the trauma she has experienced,” Malema vowed.

What you need to know about the CweCwe case

• The uMkhonto weSizwe Party demanded justice for CweCwe if the police didn’t do anything.
• South Africans planned a national shutdown after conflicting information surfaced in the CweCwe case.
• AfriForum faced a lot of criticism for deciding to assist the principal in clearing his name.
• AfriForum’s Gerrie Nel stated that the rape didn’t take place at the school as the mother claimed.
• The Bergview headmaster spoke about his experience since he was pegged as a suspect in Cwecwe's rape case.

Who is Julius Malema?

Julius Malema is a politician known for his fiery rhetoric and powerful public speaking. He rose to national prominence as president of the African National Congress Youth League from 2008 to 2012. In 2013, following months of planning, Malema co-founded the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a leftist political movement, and took on the title of commander in chief.

The EFF officially launched in October 2013 and adopted many of Malema’s controversial views from his time in the ANC, including calls for the nationalisation of mines and banks, and the expropriation of land without compensation. It also advocated improved access to education, healthcare, and social welfare.

In the 2014 national election, the EFF secured around 6 percent of the vote, earning Malema and 24 other members seats in the National Assembly. The party expanded its support in the 2019 election, winning nearly 11% of the vote and increasing its parliamentary presence to 44 seats.

NPA confirms it won’t prosecute anyone in CweCwe case

Briefly News reported that the NPA confirmed that it wouldn’t prosecute anyone in the Cwecwe case.

It came after the SAPS released a statement to say that there was insufficient evidence that the girl was raped.

South Africans were furious that the matter was closed, and no arrests or prosecutions would take place.

Source: Briefly News