Minister Chikunga demands arrest of Caretaker in Bergview College r*pe case
Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has publicly called for the arrest of the caretaker at Bergview College, where a 7-year-old girl, identified as Cwecwe, was allegedly r*ped on October 14, 2024.
The incident reportedly occurred on school grounds, and the caretaker is suspected of involvement. Additionally, the minister has demanded that the school principal explain his refusal to provide DNA samples to assist the police investigation.
This refusal has sparked significant outrage, as it is perceived as obstructing justice in a case involving a vulnerable child. The principal’s decision to instead involve lawyers, citing his rights, and the school’s subsequent action of issuing a transfer letter to the victim’s family effectively expelling the child have further fueled public and official criticism.
The Eastern Cape Department of Education has responded by issuing a notice to deregister Bergview College, citing the school’s failure to ensure a safe environment for learners, a condition of its registration as an independent institution.
Minister’s stance aligns with her broader advocacy against gender-based violence and statutory rape, emphasizing that perpetrators must face consequences and that the state should take aggressive action, including using DNA evidence to secure convictions.
The case remains under scrutiny, with calls for accountability growing louder as of today, March, 30, 2025.
