Penuel Mlotshwa has publicly apologized for his earlier remarks after facing intense backlash for questioning the credibility of Cwecwe, a seven-year-old rape victim.
The controversial podcaster and influencer took to X (formerly Twitter) to express regret for a post he made regarding the sensitive case, which stirred outrage online.
In his apology, posted late on Saturday, 5 April 2025, Penuel explained that his intention was never to cause harm.
The original tweet, which has since been deleted, read: “No foreign DNA was found inside 7-year-old Cwecwe. There are no witnesses. I don’t see this case going any further, to be honest. The credibility of a 7-year-old is also questionable, even if she pointed out the perpetrator. At this point, we can’t even confirm if she was really raped or not. It’s tough.”
The response to the tweet was swift, with many accusing him of victim-blaming and undermining the trauma faced by the young child.
Penuel quickly deleted the post but not before it was shared widely through screenshots.
In his apology, Penuel acknowledged the harm caused by his words and expressed regret for his poor choice of language.
He wrote: “Firstly, I apologize to everyone who was offended by the post. That was not my intention. Hence why I deleted it once people called me out.”
He further stated his awareness of the sensitive nature of the crime, especially when it involves a young child, and reaffirmed the importance of protecting and supporting children.
“We must protect our children at all times. And make them feel safe & heard,” he said.
Penuel also clarified his understanding of the situation, confirming that medical professionals had confirmed the rape, adding, “I was wrong to use the wording I used.”
He expressed his heartfelt apologies to Cwecwe, her family, and anyone who felt hurt by his post.
The podcaster concluded his statement by urging parents to stay vigilant and protect their children from harm.
“I hope all of us can learn from this story & find ways to keep our children safe from predators,” he said.
