Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and top SAPS officials face Parliament over delays in the Matatiele child rape case, raising concerns about investigative mishandling and lack of psycho-social support.

The Matatiele child rape case: The harrowing case of a 7-year-old rape survivor from Matatiele — publicly referred to as CweCwe for her protection — has sparked national outrage and parliamentary scrutiny, as Police Minister Senzo Mchunu admitted that authorities could have “elevated” the investigation much earlier.

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This shocking revelation came during a Portfolio Committee on Police meeting on Tuesday, where Mchunu, alongside Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola and Deputy Commissioner Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, faced pressing questions over the stalled progress in a case reported back in October 2024.

Delayed Justice and Public Frustration

What began as a disturbing incident in a small Eastern Cape town has now grown into a matter of national concern. Despite the gravity of the crime, the investigation struggled to gain momentum for months, largely due to procedural setbacks and what MPs have termed “administrative apathy.”

Mchunu acknowledged that had senior police been involved earlier, “some stability” could have been achieved even without an arrest. However, access to the child victim has remained a major hurdle.

According to police, the mother of the child has refused to allow a forensic social worker to engage with the victim — a critical step in gathering statements and providing much-needed psychological care. Appointments scheduled for April 7 and April 9, 2025, were missed due to the mother’s refusal and the child’s reported illness.

Psycho-Social Support in Question

MPs expressed strong disapproval over the delays and lack of support for the young victim. ANC MP Xola Nqola questioned the contradiction between the mother’s public commitment to justice and her refusal to allow access to professionals.

EFF MP Leigh-Ann Mathys pressed SAPS officials on whether the involvement of forensic specialists came only after the case gained public traction — a suggestion that the police may have been reactive rather than proactive.

DA MP and former prosecutor Glynnis Breytenbach labelled the investigative process “somewhat unusual” and “concerning,” especially given the child’s vulnerability.

Reinforcements and Accountability Promised

In response to the criticism, Police Commissioner Masemola stated that senior officers had now been deployed from SAPS headquarters to “reinforce and rerun the investigation.” He emphasized that a forensic social worker had been involved from the beginning, but progress was hindered by limited access and cooperation from the family.

Deputy Commissioner Mosikili confirmed that the child had yet to give a full statement due to health and access challenges, further delaying justice.

Masemola assured Parliament that SAPS was not merely reacting to public pressure and that officers who failed in their duties would face consequences. He also directed a senior team to the Eastern Cape to ensure proper handling of the case going forward.

Concerns of Broader Criminal Networks

The case has also reignited fears about systemic sexual violence in Matatiele. IFP MP Liezl van der Merwe cited reports of gangs targeting women and children in the region. However, Eastern Cape Deputy Commissioner Major General Zithulele Dladla denied any intelligence confirming gang activity of that nature.

The Road Ahead

As public outrage grows and citizens across South Africa march under banners reading “This could be anyone’s daughter,” the pressure on authorities to deliver justice intensifies. For CweCwe and her family, however, justice remains painfully out of reach — delayed by bureaucracy, constrained access, and alleged procedural oversight.

While Parliament has now been stirred to act, the real test lies in ensuring the victim receives both justice and healing. For many South Africans, the hope is that this tragic case will prompt a wider reform in how child sexual abuse cases are handled — swiftly, sensitively, and with the urgency they deserve.

Also read: Women’s League Demands #JusticeForCwecwe, Slams Gaps in GBV Justice System