As pressure mounts for justice for 7-year-old Cwecwe, the Truth and Solidarity Movement has planned a national shutdown for Tuesday, demanding the resignation of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu amid the police ministry's handling of the case.

Truth and Solidarity Movement president, Mehmet Vefa Dag, called for the national shutdown to take place on Tuesday morning.

"From 5am in the morning, we are shutting down the entire country. There will be no movement around the country ... All the schools must be shut down. Senzo Mchunu must step down," he said.

Dag went on to say that the principal of Bergview College must be arrested.

"If you're not going to help us, we will fight by all means on behalf of South Africa. I am urging Senzo Mchunu to step down. This country is not alone. Our people are not alone. We as South Africans are standing united against injustice, inequalities, pedophiles, rapists, thieves, killers. Enough is enough," he added.

The police ministry recently clarified statements on the case.

Responding to claims and allegations on social media, Ministry spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, explained that Mchunu did not make any statements that the DNA of the principal of Bergview College had been taken, but based on the initial report received, said he was among those suspected.

"He further said that DNA tests had been conducted without providing any specifics - these tests were in respect of the minor," added Mogotsi.

"The Minister gave a comprehensive briefing on Friday to take the nation into confidence on the investigation, wherein he mentioned that three persons of interest had been identified, and their samples taken for DNA analysis. The Major-General deployed to ensure a thorough investigation is working diligently to ensure that all relevant evidence is carefully examined."

Many people have added their voices to the growing calls for justice to be served following the alleged rape ordeal of Cwecwe.

Scores of young people and various organisations from across the country have gathered to voice their concerns over the alarming prevalence of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and sexual assault in schools.

These protests were prompted by numerous cases of sexual assault occurring within school premises across the country, and the demonstrators aimed to hand over memorandums outlining their demands for enhanced safety measures in educational institutions.

Thousands of people, young and old, sang Struggle songs and displayed placards written "Stop GBV, Justice for Cwecwe, GBV ends with us, Enough is Enough, She is just seven" as they expressed their rage against the pandemic of GBVF.

Cape Argus