Crime expert Calvin Rafadi said the victims of alleged rape and human trafficking have been let down by the justice system.

Rafadi said the outcome of the matter could be put down to a lack of skill.

“It is very painful. We call on the departments to give the victims counselling because this is a very traumatic and unbelievable event. Before we cry about the lack of resources, there was a lot of money spent by the National Prosecuting Authority in this case.

“Some of these witnesses were under witness protection and money was spent on victims and witnesses who had to travel. Even if the prosecutor felt their lives were in danger in such matters, they are provided with private security.

“But for them (the NPA) not to observe or have the knowledge on how to collate the evidence and do the proper questioning in court to satisfy the court beyond reasonable doubt means there is a lack of skill,” said Rafadi.

Acquittal is an indictment on the State - Women's Legal Centre

Women’s Legal Centre spokesperson, Moenieba Abrahams, said they were devastated by the outcome.

“(We are) devastated for the survivors who bravely came forward despite threats and intimidation - only to be failed by the justice system over the past years. The verdict does not exonerate their perpetrators but is an indictment on the State. This has been a sad week for women and girls in South Africa and reflects why victims do not report violence... how can they trust a failing justice system that lets them down?” said Abrahams.

Founder of Callas Foundation and human rights defender, Caroline Peters, said: “The survivors in this case demonstrated extraordinary bravery by coming forward. Their testimonies, especially that of the young woman who was just 14 years old at the time of the alleged abuse, brought to light the horrific abuses that too many girls and women face, often at the hands of those in positions of religious or societal power.

“Yet after eight long years, we are told that justice cannot be served because the prosecutors acted improperly. This is not just a failure of process — it is a failure of protection, accountability, and of the very institutions meant to uphold justice. This verdict does not exonerate. It exposes. It exposes how survivors are re-traumatised by delays and legal wrangling... We call on the NPA to account for this failure.”