NPA drops Cwecwe sexual assault case citing lack of evidence

On May 17, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) announced its decision not to prosecute anyone in the Cwecwe sexual assault case, citing insufficient evidence.

The case, initiated in November 2024, involved allegations of sexual assault on a minor girl, with a docket presented to prosecutors in Matiatiele Magistrates’ Court and the case manager at the Thuthuzela Care Centre in the Eastern Cape.

After a thorough assessment, the NPA concluded there was no conclusive evidence of rape or sexual assault following interviews and examinations of the minor, leading to the controversial decision that has sparked public debate on accountability in such cases.