Thandoluhle Ngcobo4 April 2025 | 6:44

Soweto residents to picket for justice in Matatiele girl's rape matter

The community will lead a picket on Sunday, demanding justice for the minor, echoing a national call for intervention in cases of gender-based violence.

Soweto residents to picket for justice in Matatiele girl's rape matter

Angry protesters in Johannesburg CBD joined the nationwide shutdown on 1 April 2025 following the rape of a seven-year-old girl from the Eastern Cape. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/Eyewitness News

JOHANNESBURG - Soweto residents are joining the call for justice in the case of a seven-year-old girl who was allegedly raped at a school in matatiele in the Eastern Cape. 

The community will lead a picket on Sunday, demanding justice for the minor, echoing a national call for intervention in cases of gender-based violence.

The demonstration is planned to create awareness and encourage the community to take a firm stand against the abuse, rape and ill-treatment of women, children and vulnerable groups.

Picket convenor, Mathapelo Ndaba, said that they would be handing over a memorandum of demands to the heads of Moroka Police Station, demanding action.

Ndaba has added that the picket was not a campaigning opportunity for political parties.

"This is a very sensitive issue, it cannot campaign about this issue, especially the MK part. We are not going to tolerate what they are doing. That is a march for the community members. If the organisations want to come and join us, they can come as a level of community members, not representing any political parties."