#JusticeForCwecwe protests held in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape have attracted national attention and brought to light the urgent need to take action against gender-based abuse in South Africa. The protests began after the horrifying rape that took place at Bergview College in 2024. The protests grew in number as the case progressed, demanding justice for Cwecwe and more accountability for the perpetrators.
The protests were peaceful, and citizens expressed their frustration over the slowness of the legal proceedings; however, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was also in attendance.
Clarification from the SANDF and public reaction
The situation changed unexpectedly when the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was spotted on the ground. The public was confused and concerned about the role played by the military during the protests. The SANDF clarified its presence on April 8, 2025. They stated that the involvement of the military in the protests had nothing to do with crowd control as originally perceived.
On April 8, the SANDF released a statement explaining that their soldiers were in Matatiele as part of routine border protection duties and not to interfere in the protest. This clarification was made after pictures of military personnel walking with police officers during the protests caused a stir on social media. Questions were raised about the role of the military in domestic issues.
Siphiwe Dlamini of the SANDF’s Head of Communications stressed that the soldiers had not been deployed to deal with the protests but rather were part of a planned operation aimed at securing borders in the region. Dlamini said, “Our personnel was performing border safeguarding duty, and their proximity to the protest was pure coincidence.” We regret it was misinterpreted as an effort to intimidate or control demonstrators .”
Dlamini made his remarks to allay growing concerns that the SANDF may have been used in suppressing public protests, which are constitutionally protected. The issue quickly grew into a larger debate about the proper use of military force in civil society issues despite this clarification.
Various political parties had mixed reactions to the situation. Some praised the SANDF’s transparency, while others condemned its presence at a peaceful demonstration.
The Constitutional and Legal Questions Raised
The presence of the SANDF during the protest raised important legal and constitutional issues, especially in relation to the deployment of military personnel inside South Africa’s boundaries. The South African Constitution regulates the use of military personnel domestically. The President has the power to deploy the SANDF to ensure internal security. This decision must be made within a reasonable period of time and communicated to the Parliament.
The constitutional provision was a major concern for civil society and political parties, who questioned the legality of SANDF presence in the country without express authorization. In a press release, Sinawo Tambo of the Economic Freedom Fighters stated: “The use by the military of unarmed civilians constitutes a grave violation of our rights.” The SANDF’s presence at the protest was unnecessary and was meant to intimidate the peacefully demanding justice .”
Tambo’s remarks reflect a broader concern about the military’s possible overreach in civilian affairs. The EFF believes that the deployment of SANDF to a peaceful protest should have been explicitly approved by the President as stipulated in the constitution. The EFF also questioned why a non-violent protest deployment of the SANDF had not been reported to Parliament as required by law.
The EFF’s criticism and demand for answers
EFF involvement following the protests was one of the loudest aspects of the national discussion surrounding the SANDF presence. The party, which is known for its opposition against the ANC government, was quick in raising the alarm about what it called an unjustified militaristic intervention. The EFF, in addition to criticizing SANDF presence, demanded an official investigation and asked President Cyril Ramaphosa to clarify whether military involvement was authorized.
EFF leader Julius Malema addressed this issue at a press conference, saying that: “We must ask whether it was the work done by the SANDF, or if other forces within government are trying to send a signal to protesters to not challenge the status quo. This is a clear breach of the right of protest by the people .”
The EFF demanded a formal response from the Minister of Defence and the President, which escalated the situation and turned it into a political and legal controversy. The SANDF insisted that the soldiers were only performing their border duties. However, legal and political experts are divided over whether this explanation addresses the legal concerns regarding military intervention into civilian affairs.
Aftermath of the Attack and the Call for Accountability
Many have called for more transparency in relation to the use of military force on domestic issues as the controversy over the SANDF’s involvement in the Matatiele protests unfolds. Legal experts say that the government should clarify under which conditions the SANDF may be asked to assist in civil protests and under what circumstances they must remain out of the picture.
For its part, the government has not yet fully addressed the legal questions raised in Parliament by the EFF, and other critics. It is not clear yet whether Ramaphosa intends to address the issue in Parliament or if he will make further inquiries into the decision-making processes behind the SANDF’s involvement.
The #JusticeForCwecwe demonstrations are an important reminder that the fight for justice is ongoing in cases of gender-based abuse. South Africans continue to grapple with the question of when the military should intervene in civil issues.
Clarifying the role of the SANDF in the #JusticeForCwecwe Matatiele protests has sparked a debate on the constitutional and legal role of the military. The situation is still unfolding, but it’s becoming clear that the participation of military forces during peaceful protests raises complicated questions about the rights of citizens, the role of government in managing demonstrations and the need for accountability and transparency.
Matatiele’s aftermath, which was marked by legal challenges, political disagreements and other issues, is a stark reminder of the delicate balance that must be maintained between national security, democratic freedoms and the like. South Africa must address these concerns carefully and ensure that its military protects, not intimidates, its citizens as they pursue justice.
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