School resumes in EC amid growing concerns for the safety of children in Matatiele

MATATIELE - Children in the Eastern Cape have returned to school amidst growing concerns about their safety in Matatiele.

The rape of a seven-year-old girl in the community has sparked tensions and public outrage across the country.

The child was allegedly harmed on school grounds in Matatiele last year.

Two other children aged between six and seven in the community were found to be victims of rape.

In the crisp morning air of Matatiele, feet patter down the streets once again, school uniforms neatly pressed, backpacks slung over shoulders, and hopes stitched quietly into each step.

It's the first week back at school, and classrooms in this rural Eastern Cape town will be filled with chatter, some reflecting on the short holiday and some on the recent events in the area.

But behind the innocent exchanges between pupils and laughter, a darker reality clings to the community, one that parents and learners alike are acutely aware of.

Parents are anxious and scan faces with suspicion, expressing an unwillingness to delve into the rape of a seven-year-old girl allegedly on the premises when approached by EWN.

This feeling of unease was evident on Tuesday when parents came to monitor the situation at the institution, according to senior management.

It's expected that this worry will continue hovering over this community until an arrest is made.