Tuesday, 8 April 2025

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) condemns in the strongest possible terms the unlawful deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), alongside the police, to Matatiele where young people including children have taken to the streets to demand justice for a fellow child, affectionately known as Cwecwe, who was brutally raped on school premises.

This act of state-sponsored intimidation is a declaration of war against the young and voiceless by a cowardly regime that sends soldiers to crush the righteous cries of children. These are not criminals nor terrorists. These are young people, some still in primary school, who have taken up the noble cause of defending the dignity and humanity of an seven-year-old child whose pain and trauma has been met with silence, confusion, and cover-up by the institutions meant to protect them.

Cyril Ramaphosa, the spineless servant of capital and confirmed enemy of the people, has not directly addressed the rape of Cwecwe despite it becoming a national issue. He has not visited Matatiele. He has not consoled the family. He has not held any official accountable. But he finds the audacity to unleash armed soldiers on children — children who are fighting against a scourge of sexual violence that torments them every day.

Let us be clear: the state is attempting a cover-up. The state is silencing the truth through fear and force, and that is the only reason that entire soldiers can be brought to a march by children. The youth of Matatiele are showing the nation what bravery looks like. They are standing where Ramaphosa has run away. They are fighting for Cwecwe, and in so doing, fighting for every child who has ever been silenced by rape, by shame, or by state repression.

The EFF stands firmly with the children and community of Matatiele and South Africa. As a result, we have written to the Speaker of the National Assembly demanding urgent answers on this unlawful deployment of the SANDF in Matatiele. This deployment, appears to have occurred without the constitutionally required communication from the President to Parliament. As per Section 201(2) and 201(3) of the Constitution, the President must inform Parliament of the reasons, scope, and duration of any military deployment, however, no such correspondence has been made public.

The EFF, therefore, demands full transparency, accountability, and an immediate explanation for this militarised response to a community demanding justice.

Parliament must not be complicit in Ramaphosa’s descent into authoritarianism.

ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Leigh-Ann Mathys (National Spokesperson) 082 304 7572

Thato Lebyane (Media Enquiries) 078 304 7572