Allegations of a child assault have triggered a strong public reaction in the South African town of Matatiele. The case involves a seven-year-old girl, referred to online as “Cwecwe”, whose mother, Thandekile Mtshizana, shared claims of the assault in a series of widely viewed online videos.
Mtshizana alleges that the assault occurred at Bergview College, a local school. Her videos quickly gained millions of views and brought national attention to the case, with many viewers expressing concern over the reported incident.
In the wake of the videos, Matatiele—usually known for its clean, orderly streets—saw growing protests. Demonstrators gathered outside the school, calling for accountability. Some protesters made stronger threats, including calling for the school’s closure.
“We can’t continue as if nothing has happened,” said Thapelo Monareng, a retail worker who joined the protests. “This case needs to be taken seriously.”
Police confirmed they are actively investigating the incident. Authorities have described the case as sensitive and ongoing.
