Chikunga calls for more DNA samples to be collected in EC girl (7) rape case

JOHANNESBURG - The Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has called for DNA samples to be collected from more people, in the case of a seven-year-old girl who was raped in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape. 
 
The minister is in the province in an effort to fast-track the investigation following public outcry over a lack of urgency from law enforcement to address the case.
 
The little girl was raped in October 2024, allegedly on school grounds.

The principal who was requested to provide DNA samples to authorities refused to do so and has instead enlisted the services of lobby group AfriForum over the matter.

The country has seen nationwide demonstrations over the incident, calling for action after the incident.

Chikunga said authorities must cast their net wide while investigating the rape of the seven-year-old girl. 
 
This follows extensive back and forth over the DNA sample of the principal in the school, in which the minor was a learner. 
 
But Chikunga said authorities should not be fixated on only one individual.

“The samples must be taken so as to exonerate people or link people to the case. If somebody came, a male came to the family on that night or a night before, that male must also be investigated.”
 
Chikunga said the collection would not be confined to the school but to everyone who may have had access to the minor. 

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