Glaring GBV double standards exposed

IN RECENT weeks, South Africa has once again been rocked by cases of gender-based violence (GBV) that have revealed an absurd contradiction in the public's reaction to each of these cases.

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The most harrowing incident involves the alleged assault of a now 8-year-old girl, referred to as Cwecwe, at Bergview College in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape. In stark contrast is the acquittal of Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso, who faced multiple rape and kidnapping charges, sparking a wave of celebration among his followers, many of them women. This juxtaposition brings to light the serious absurdity among South Africans regarding GBV, specifically sexual violence, in this case. As such, this reveals what can only be described as glaring double standards.

The case of Cwecwe, who was allegedly sexually assaulted at her school, ignited a massive outcry nationwide. The public's reaction was one of horror and urgency as the details of the assault came to light. The #JusticeForCwecwe campaign gained traction, with social media platforms ablaze with calls for justice and accountability.

The Eastern Cape Department of Education acted swiftly by deregistering the school involved, citing its failure to protect the young girl, and being uncooperative towards the investigative process. The message from the public was clear: those who perpetrate violence against children must face the full might of the law.