Mbalula slams AfriForum for 'shielding' principal in Cwecwe case

Mbalula slams AfriForum for ‘shielding’ principal in Cwecwe case

Mbalula was voicing his outrage over the rape case involving a 7-year-old student.

Mbalula is outraged by AfriForum's decision to represent the principal. Image: GCIS/ Supplied.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has lashed out against AfriForum after the lobby group decided to represent an Eastern Cape principal.

The principal is allegedly one of the suspects in the horrific rape of a seven year old pupil in October which remains unresolved.

Mbalula slams AfriForum

Addressing the media on Tuesday, Mbalula accused AfriForum of ‘shielding’ suspects instead of protecting the victim.

“We are outraged and deeply saddened by the brutal violation of a seven-year-old child in Matatiele,” Mbalula exclaimed.

Highlighting the crime as underscoring the plague of gender-based violence in South Africa, Mbalula commented further that:

“It is a moral indictment of our society that predators still find refuge in institutions meant to safeguard children. More disgraceful is the involvement of organisations like AfriForum, who shield suspects rather than stand for justice.”

Mbalula insists that only ubuntu ( unity and humanity) should exist in a horrific incident, not race or politics.

Outrage over incident sparks protests

Thousands of South Africans, including the EFF, MK Party and others, have rallied to demand justice for the victim. The police had responded to the outcry, reassuring the public that investigations into the case are ongoing.

Mbalula has applauded the unity on display in the face of this incident, commenting further that:

“Enough is enough; we will not rest until every woman and child in South Africa is safe from such despicable acts. We are very happy that South Africans, black and white, stood together in denouncing this act.”

“The constitution and the laws of this country have been strengthened. If you get arrested for rape you are not entitled to bail. These animals, the law must grind. We need to deal with them harshly in terms of the law. A normal person can’t rape a seven-year-old, that’s an animal. AfriForum then goes and defend such people is beyond animals, it’s cannibalism.” Mbalula continued.

AfriForum denies sinister motives for involvement

Meanwhile, AfriForum spokesperson Barry Bateman has outright denied the allegations that the group aims to defend the suspect involved in this crime.

Bateman explains that the principal is allegedly not a suspect in the rape case involving one of the learners at his school, nor has he ever been regarded as a suspect by authorities:

“It is the unit’s understanding that he had no contact with the victim before the offence being committed nor is there any evidence that the offence took place on school grounds.” Bateman explained.