By Alicia Mmashakana
As calls increase for justice following the rape of a seven-year-old girl at Bergville College in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola has tasked the head of the family violence, child protection and sexual investigations (FCS) unit to bolster and oversee the ongoing investigation.
FCS head Major General Mmantsheke Lekhele met the investigating team on Tuesday to ensure due diligence was conducted and the chain of evidence was properly preserved.
“Major Gen. Lekhele will meet with persons of interests and key stakeholders such as the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) to ensure justice and the finalisation of the matter. Bringing criminals to book and putting perpetrators of crime behind bars remains a key priority for the SAPS,” police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said in a statement.
She said the police wanted to assure the nation that justice would prevail and those who were found to be guilty of any offence would be brought to book.
Also, a comprehensive report would follow once the work of the team had concluded.
Meanwhile, 702 reported that the board of trustees at the college has launched an application for an urgent interdict against Eastern Cape education MEC Fundile Gade over his decision to withdraw the school’s registration.
It is asking the high court in Makhanda to suspend the process by the MEC pending a review application to set aside the decision.
Board chairperson Daniel van Zyl says in court papers that that South African Schools Act states that the withdrawal of the registration of an independent school is not valid unless the owner has been furnished with a notice and reasons by the head of department.
It also prescribes that the owner must be granted an opportunity to make written representations to the HOD about why the registration should not be withdrawn.
The assault of the young girl, identified as Cwecwe, has sparked national outrage, with various political and civil society groups demanding immediate action.
INSIDE EDUCATION
