Eastern Cape Department

The Eastern Cape Department of Education has rescinded its decision to deregister Bergview College, an independent school in the province, following consultations with stakeholders and as the Joint Justice Cluster continues to investigate an alleged sexual assault of a 7-year-old girl at the school. This shift comes after the department initially moved to temporarily revoke the school’s operating licence to ensure accountability and learner safety. In a media release dated 02 April 2025, the department explained that closing the school forever wasn’t practical, and they are now relying on law enforcement to handle the criminal case while keeping the school open.

A Shocking Incident at Bergview College

Bergview College, located in the Eastern Cape, is an independent school, meaning it’s registered with the Department of Education but runs differently from public schools. These schools must follow strict rules, and the department can step in if something goes seriously wrong. That’s exactly what happened when news broke of an alleged sexual assault involving a 7-year-old girl at the school. The incident sent shockwaves through the community, with parents, teachers, and residents demanding answers and action.

The MEC of Education, Mr Fundile Gade, didn’t hold back, calling the crime “heinous”. It’s the kind of word that captures the anger and sadness people feel when a child is hurt in a place meant to be safe. The little girl’s story quickly became a big issue, shining a light on safety in schools—especially independent ones, which sometimes operate with less direct government oversight than public schools.

The First Step: Shutting Down the School

When the alleged assault came to light, the Eastern Cape Department of Education acted fast. They decided to temporarily revoke Bergview College’s operating licence—a move that would effectively shut it down. The idea was simple: make the school cooperate with the police and prove it could keep learners safe. If it couldn’t, it had no business staying open.

In South Africa, the Department of Education has the power to deregister independent schools that don’t meet standards or put children at risk. It’s a serious step, like pulling the plug on a business. For Bergview College, the department saw the alleged assault as a red flag—something so bad that they couldn’t just wait and see. MEC Gade explained in a statement last week that the temporary revocation was meant to enforce accountability and tackle an “unsafe environment” for teaching and learning.

A Team Effort to Find the Truth

The department didn’t stop there. MEC Gade brought together a team of heavy hitters to deal with the situation. The Police Ministry jumped in with its top resources, including the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit—experts trained to handle cases like this with care. Their job? To dig deep, find out what happened, and make sure whoever did this faces justice.

The Justice Ministry also got involved, starting a process to check every staff member at Bergview College. They’re looking for anything that might show who’s responsible or if there are other risks lurking in the school. Meanwhile, the Social Development MEC, Honourable B Fanta, stepped up to support the little girl and her family. She visited them personally, making sure they get counselling and help to cope with the trauma.

This teamwork falls under the Joint Justice Cluster—a group of government bodies working together on big cases. It’s a sign of how seriously everyone is taking this, pooling their skills to protect kids and get answers.

Why the Department Changed Its Mind

After all that, why let Bergview College stay open? That’s the question many are asking. In the media release dated 02 April 2025, the department gave its reasons. They said they’ve decided to rescind—or cancel—the deregistration after talking to lots of people involved, like other government departments and community leaders. The big reason? The school “cannot be closed in perpetuity”—in other words, shutting it down forever isn’t doable.

MEC Gade put it plainly: “While our initial decision was driven by the need to protect our learners and ensure accountability, we have come to realise that closing the school indefinitely is not a sustainable solution. We must balance the pursuit of justice with the educational needs of the remaining learners at Bergview College.” Instead of keeping the gates locked, they’re trusting the Joint Justice Cluster to handle the investigation while the school keeps running.

It’s a tough call. Closing a school sounds strong, but it leaves learners and teachers in the lurch. By stepping back, the department hopes to keep things stable for the other children while the police do their work.

Where the Investigation Stands Now

The investigation isn’t slowing down. The Police Ministry’s special unit is still on the case, working carefully because it involves a child. They’re trained to ask questions and gather evidence without making things worse for the little girl. It’s a slow, steady process, but they’re determined to get it right.

The Justice Ministry’s vetting is also moving forward. Every teacher, cleaner, and staff member at Bergview College is under the microscope. If anyone’s hiding something—or if the school missed warning signs—this process might uncover it. The Joint Justice Cluster is pulling all these efforts together, making sure nothing slips through the cracks.

For the family, it’s a waiting game. They want justice, but they also need time to heal. That’s where the Social Development team comes in, offering support every step of the way.

Helping the Little Girl and Her Family

The child at the heart of this story isn’t alone. Honourable B Fanta, the Social Development MEC, has made it her mission to help. She’s been to see the family, bringing comfort and practical support. They’re getting psycho-social services—things like counselling and therapy—to deal with the pain and fear this incident has caused.

For a 7-year-old, something like this can leave deep scars. The experts working with her know how to listen, help her feel safe again, and guide her family through the tough days ahead. The media release thanked South Africans for their support, saying the “solidarity shown by South Africans from all corners” has made a difference. It’s a reminder that when something awful happens, people can come together to lift each other up.

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