NPA drops rape case of seven-year-old Matatiele girl
The seven-year-old girl was allegedly raped at her school in October last year.
FILE: National Prosecuting Authority offices in Pretoria. Picture: Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has decided to drop the rape case of a minor in Matatiele, in the Eastern Cape due to insufficient evidence.
The seven-year-old girl was allegedly raped at her school in October last year.
A podcast, in which the child's mother detailed what happened to her daughter, sparked widespread uproar in the country.
Many people took to the streets in solidarity with the child, demanding justice for what happened to her.
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The NPA said that there was no conclusive evidence on which they could successfully prosecute anyone.
"This decision was communicated to the police officers who had submitted the docket, and it was returned to them. The DPP's office did not release a public statement with regards to their decision at the time. In addition, doing so could have had the potential to compromise any ongoing police investigations.
"However, in view of the public outcry and interest generated since the matter resurfaced in April 2025, the NPA has decided to communicate the decision of the prosecutors in the Eastern Cape Division. We can also indicate that the police have since resubmitted the docket to the DPP's office for further consideration."