NOLUVO MGIJIMA
THE presence of uniformed soldiers at the march against gender-based violence in Matatiele on Tuesday, April 8, has received criticism from members of the public.
Concerned marchers went to the streets to demand swift action in the rape case involving a girl (7), under the tagline #JusticeForCwecwe.
The march started at around 9am from the traffic department offices in the Matatiele CBD and moved peacefully to Bergview College, where the rape incident allegedly occurred.
When marchers arrived at the school, they demanded justice for all GBV victims and for the young girl who was raped.
During the address by march organisers and concerned groups, there was commotion between the police and a certain group of marchers who attempted to force entry into the school yard.
At the same time, another group of school employees were seen holding a prayer chain inside the school yard.
March organisers calmed the situation and told marchers to go to a community hall in the town.
The appearance of soldiers amid the #JusticeForCwecwe march caused an outrage not only from protesters but on social media. However, the South African National Defence Force released a statement on Tuesday denying the authorisation of soldiers to attend the march.
ANC Alfred Nzo regional chairperson and district mayor Vukile Mhlelembana told aggrieved protestors to calm down as police were doing their work.
He called for a full investigation to all private schools in the district of Alfred Nzo against rape allegations.
“We will not rest until justice is served for the seven-year-old rape victim. It is our duty to make sure children and women are secured and protected in society,” he said. The South African Council of Churches in Matatiele has called upon the Matatiele Local Municipality to hold a prayer day in order to address the growing concerns over sexual assaults in the area.
A prayer session by local churches and the community is scheduled for April 11 at Matatiele Town Hall. Meanwhile, EFF Alfred Nzo regional secretary Siseko Sikhafungana said that the party opened a case of intimidation during the march.
