Students March in Pretoria Demanding #JusticeforCwecwe in Powerful Shut-Down Protest

Hundreds of students flood Pretoria’s streets in a heartfelt call for justice for rape victim Cwecwe, demanding urgent action and accountability from SAPS.

#JusticeForCwecwe: A City Brought to a Standstill by Sorrow and Solidarity

Pretoria came to a symbolic halt on Tuesday, 8 April 2025, as hundreds of university students shut down busy streets in a powerful, emotionally charged protest demanding #justiceforCwecwe — a young rape victim whose case remains unresolved. In one voice, they declared: Justice delayed is justice denied.

A Cry for #JusticeForCwecwe: What Provoked the Protest?

At the heart of this protest lies an unresolved rape case. Cwecwe, a student whose name has come to represent the countless silenced victims of gender-based violence (GBV), was reportedly failed by the very system meant to protect her. Students have accused the South African Police Service (SAPS) of dragging their feet and showing little urgency in investigating her case.

“We are tired. Tired of being scared. Tired of being ignored. Tired of carrying trauma with no justice in sight,” one student protester said.

Their frustration erupted into action — a citywide student-led shutdown, symbolic of how South Africa often grinds to a halt in the face of GBV without resolution.

CHECK OUT: #JusticeForCweCwe: Mother Denies AfriForum’s Claims, Accuses Gerrie Nel of Gaslighting

Scenes from the Streets: Chants, Placards and Pain

Led by a coalition of university student bodies, the march coursed through Pretoria’s central districts. Placards reading “Justice for Cwecwe”, “No More Silence”, and “Investigate, Don’t Ignore” painted the streets in urgent emotion.

Struggle songs, chants of resistance, and moments of raw silence gave the march its rhythm — each step echoing both anger and mourning.

“This isn’t just for Cwecwe. It’s for all of us. For every sister, friend, or classmate failed by the system,” said a female student from TUT, eyes red with emotion.

Voices of the March: What the Students Are Demanding

The protestors outlined their demands clearly:

• Immediate prioritisation of Cwecwe’s case
• Transparent investigation processes for rape and GBV-related crimes
• Increased police accountability in handling sensitive cases
• A national GBV unit with trained, empathetic officers

Students say it’s not just about one case — it’s about years of institutional failure. They marched in the memory of those no longer here to speak and in defence of those still fighting for their voices to be heard.

A National Crisis: GBV and Police Neglect in SA

South Africa has long struggled with the curse of GBV, consistently recording high rates of femicide and sexual assault. Yet many survivors report feeling invisible, re-traumatised, or abandoned by the justice system.

The students believe that if they don’t speak now, they never will be heard.

“We’ve buried too many sisters,” a protest organiser shared. “Today, we choose to rise instead.”

Unity, Grief and Resilience

From moments of candlelit prayer to feet stomping against the tar in unison, the march was filled with symbolism. Silence was used as protest. So was song. Protesters wore black and purple — colours of mourning and resistance.

Many carried photos of Cwecwe, a silent reminder of what brought them all together.

What Happens Now?

There’s no telling how the authorities will respond. But one thing is clear: this is not a movement that will fade quietly. The march was not just a reaction — it was a warning. Young people are watching. They are mobilised. And they are done asking politely.

“We are not just students,” one protestor said. “We are a generation that refuses to inherit silence.”

Related: Justice for CweCwe: Police Clarify DNA Comments in The Cwecwe Rape Case