Activist slams NPA for failing to prosecute in Cwecwe case
A local anti-gender-based violence activist believes the National Prosecuting Authority has let society down by not prosecuting anyone in the Cwecwe case.
There has been a public outcry after it was alleged that the young girl was sexually assaulted while waiting for transport home at her school in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape last October.
In a statement on Saturday, the NPA said there isn't enough evidence for a successful prosecution.
Nadia Bernon, from the Rapid Response Team on Gender-Based Violence, says this common in rape cases.
"There is always no trace of DNA, not enough evidence and the process in itself is exhausting. Thousands of rape victims and survivors that were watching this case closely to see how it goes and in reality, our South African law protects sexual predictors."
Bernon says that as activists, there's little they can do once the government is involved.
"Our government officials are not gender sensitive. They are not equipped to handle any GBV-related cases. The only way we are going to close these gaps is when government starts working hand in hand with civil society organisations on the ground that have become first responders."
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