Rape case of EC girl (7): AfriForum wants police to announce their findings
The group has recently taken on the legal representation of the caretaker at the school where the child used to attend.
Angry protesters in Johannesburg CBD joined the nationwide shutdown under the banner #JusticeForCwecwe on 1 April 2025 following the rape of a seven-year-old girl from the Eastern Cape. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Lobby group AfriForum wants police to announce their findings on the rape of the seven-year-old girl, saying the silence perpetuates the prejudice against those falsely accused.
The group has recently taken on the legal representation of the caretaker at the school where the child used to attend.
The man and the principal Jaco Pieterse were suspected by members of the public of the child’s rape after her mother spoke out on a podcast.
There have been no arrests, and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu issued an apology to Pieterse.
READ: AfriForum welcomes Police Minister's intention to apologise to wrongfully accused principal
In a letter to the national Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, AfriForum says it is concerned with the police's failure to publically announce its findings on the rape case of the minor.
Spokesperson Barry Bateman said it seems police took the caretaker's DNA sample despite him not being a suspect.
"It is our understanding that despite being asked to provide the DNA sample, the police have not asked him for an affidavit or a warning statement which further confirms our suspision that if there was a rape it did not happen at the school."
The group said police must consider the effects of the suspicion against staff at the school.
They've called on Masemola's office to set the record straight urgently.