By Anita Dangazele
- The family of the seven-year-old girl assaulted at Bergview College says they may move to KwaBhaca for safety.
- Over 670,000 people have signed a petition demanding justice and countrywide marches are being planned.
The family of a seven-year-old girl who was raped at Bergview College says they don’t feel safe living in Matatiele anymore.
Her 30-year-old mother, who is also a survivor of sexual assault, said they are thinking about relocating to KwaBhaca, which is about two hours away.
“Nothing has happened, we’ve not received any threats. We just no longer feel that this is a safe place for our family,” she told Scrolla.Africa.
She said the attack at her daughter’s school has left them traumatised and scared, even though no one has come after them.
Police minister Senzo Mchunu said the investigation is moving quickly.
He confirmed that DNA samples have been collected from three suspects — including the school principal, Mr Jaco Pieterse.
“As of 30 March, we can confirm that all three suspects, including Mr Jaco Pieterse, have had their DNA samples collected,” Mchunu said.
The principal had earlier refused to take a DNA test but has now complied.
A senior state prosecutor is also involved in the case and the police have secured forensic evidence.
Mchunu said the results are being prioritised and the family will be updated this week.
The EFF called the rape “inhumane and barbaric”.
Spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said the party had written to Parliament’s police portfolio committee for a full update.
He blamed both the school and the police for failing the child and said they were too slow to act.
“The violation of this child while under the supposed care and supervision of a learning institution is an unforgivable betrayal of trust,” said Thambo.
He criticised the school for giving the girl a transfer letter instead of protecting her, saying it was another form of victimisation.
The petition demanding justice had over 673,000 signatures by Monday.
Marches are being planned in all nine provinces on Tuesday to pressure the authorities into making arrests.
Education MEC Fundile Gade deregistered the school on Friday, saying it failed to work with police.
Pictured above: A sign from a Justice for CweCwe protest.
Image source: @womenforchange5
