The foundation applauded the Eastern Cape MEC for Education, Fundile Gade, for revoking the school's operating license and budget.

Gade claimed that the principal at the school was a suspect in the case and would be arrested.

"During the week, he is either going to court or is going to be arrested. He is a suspect and deliberately did not report the case of this child for almost a month and a half until the state organs got the information via the parent," Gade told Newzroom Afrika.

He went on to label the educator as being irresponsible and accused him of concealing information, asserting that more children may have been raped on the premises.

"He tried to hide in defence of the institution's brand at the expense of the children. I am seriously concerned about the safety of the ones who have not yet reported having been raped in the school."

Meanwhile, Parliament's Select Committee on Education, Sciences, and the Creative Industries has expressed disappointment over the Eastern Cape Department of Education's handling of Cwecwe's suspected rape case.

Chairperson Makhi Feni criticised the department's response, particularly its decision to deregister the private school, arguing that it does not address the serious issue of child sexual violation.

Feni emphasised that the department's actions following the October 2024 incident were insufficient.

"The deregistration of Bergview College does not address the sexual violation of a child, and it’s not clear what this action from the department in the Eastern Cape seeks to achieve," he said.

The committee is calling for accountability, demanding that the alleged perpetrator and any potential accomplices be arrested immediately.

Meanwhile, AfriForum has received public backlash in connection with the case of Cwecwe.

The school's principal is being represented by AfriForum in the matter, which has received public outcry under #JusticeforCwecwe.

However, the organisation told the IOL that it would never represent anyone accused of rape.

"AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit represents the Bergview College principal against an abuse of process. We categorically state that he is not accused of rape. Our official letters will indicate our view and approach. The PPU unit has never and will never defend accused persons in rape matters and has not done so in the past," said communications manager, Barry Bateman.

The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) the Inkatha Freedon Party and others have have condemned the alleged rape of Cwecwe

Eight-year-old award winning influencer Sbahle Mzizi who is the daughter of actress and presenter Ntando Duma and DJ, Junior De Rocka, has added her voice to the growing calls for justice for 7-year-old child, Cwecwe, who was raped at Bergview College, in the Eastern Cape.

Mzizi posted a video on her Instagram account, which has 1.1 million followers.

The Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Favourite African Kidfluencer of the Year Award 2022 winner began her video by eloquently introducing herself and explaining why she was doing the video.

“Recently, I’ve heard about a girl who is 7 years old and has been violated at school, a place that is meant to keep us safe, but instead, they did something very disturbing.

“So I am asking you to please join us in demanding justice for Cwecwe. We need to make sure that all schools are safe places for all children and we need to make sure that the people who are supposed to take care of us are actually doing their job.

“Let’s work together to make sure that no child goes through what Cwecwe went through.”

Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.

#uyinene-mrwetyana

Justice for Cwecwe: Nation calls for law enforcement to act with urgency