Education Minister Calls For Mandatory Teacher Vetting
The minister’s decisive announcement came during her emotionally charged keynote address at the annual Uyinene Mrwetyana commemorative lecture held at Rhodes University. The event honours the memory of the 19-year-old student whose brutal 2019 rape and murder at a Cape Town post office became a national rallying point against gender-based violence.
“Parents deserve absolute confidence that schools are sanctuaries of learning, not hunting grounds for predators. The unspeakable violation young Cwecwe endured demands systemic change,” Minister Gwarube stated before a somber audience.
ALSO READ: Justice for Cwecwe: South Africans Express Outrage Over Rape of 7-Year-Old at Bergview College
Eastern Cape Takes Immediate Action
The Eastern Cape Education Department has already initiated proceedings to deregister the independent school where the assault occurred. This swift administrative action underscores the province’s commitment to accountability, though questions remain about broader preventative measures.
Forensic experts emphasize that comprehensive vetting must extend beyond sexual offender lists to include:
- Regular criminal background checks
- Psychometric evaluations for staff
- Mandatory child protection training
- Whistleblower protections for students
Uyinene’s Legacy: A Mother’s Painful Solidarity
In one of the event’s most poignant moments, Nomangwane Mrwetyana joined Kingswood College students in a moving musical tribute to her daughter. Six years after Uyinene’s murder, the grieving mother extended heartfelt support to Cwecwe’s family:
“Our souls recognize your anguish. The betrayal by systems meant to protect cuts deepest of all. But through collective action, we will force change where prayers alone have failed.”
ALSO READ: Two People Arrested for Stealing R600K From Their Stokvel
The Road Ahead
Child protection advocates warn that registry checks alone won’t eliminate risk, calling for:
- 24/7 anonymous reporting hotlines
- Forensic auditing of school hiring practices
- Specialized courts for child sexual assault cases
- Community-based monitoring programs