MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Joining thousands of South Africans in the march to demand "Justice for Cwecwe" on Tuesday, 1 April, were about 200 residents of the greater Mossel Bay area.
Cwecwe, as she has become known across the country, is a seven-year-old girl, who was allegedly sexually assaulted at a school in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape in October last year.
The case has sparked widespread outrage, resulting in thousands taking to various social media platforms to demand justice for the girl under the hashtag, Justice for Cwecwe.
Her mother has been at the forefront of the drive for justice, speaking publicly about her frustration with the investigation into the case and the school's inadequate response.
On Tuesday, about 200 people gathered at the KwaNonqaba Mall at about 13:00 in solidarity with the national Justice for Cwecwe march. The group walked down Bill Jeffery Street, down to Marsh Street where they handed over a memorandum to the department of education.
Mossel Bay residents, marching on 1 April. Photo: Mohau Mashigo
One of the organisers of the march, Yamkelani Memani, said the march was not just for Cwecwe, but for all the victims of sexual assault and gender-based violence who are either awaiting justice or never granted it.
He said it was important that people in Mossel Bay rallied to take part in the fight for change.
Western Cape Minister of Education David Maynier said in a statement on Tuesday that the department is "deeply disturbed by the incident that has been reported from the Eastern Cape".
He said he accepted a memorandum on Tuesday afternoon and will refer it to the relevant national departments for action. He added that he is aware that the Eastern Cape Department of Education and the police are investigating the matter.
"We urge them to ensure that the perpetrator is found and faces the full might of the law. Our children must be able to learn in a safe environment when at school."
He said that while this incident was in another province, he urged anyone who becomes aware of an incident of abuse or assault in a Western Cape school to report this immediately to the police and to the toll-free Safe Schools hotline (0800 45 46 47).
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