Bergview principal lays charges against Malema, Mbalula for 'false rape claims'
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The principal of Bergview College, Jaco Pieterse, has laid criminal charges against ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, EFF leader Julius Malema, and Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade after being publicly accused of raping a 7-year-old girl, known as Cwecwe.
The charges, which were filed at Sophiatown police station in Gauteng, include crimen injuria, intimidation, and contravention of the Cybercrimes Act.
Barry Bateman, spokesperson for lobby group AfriForum, which is representing Pieterse, told the media on Friday morning outside the police station that the allegations had devastated the principal's life and career.
'South Africa has a rape crisis, we have a child abuse crisis, and being falsely accused of committing such a crime against a child is devastating,' Bateman said.
'This is why we are pursuing these charges.'
Bateman also criticised Mbalula, who he said had referred to Pieterse as 'an animal,' questioning how AfriForum could defend 'an animal who rapes children.'
'This is simply unacceptable. There must be consequences for people who falsely accuse others in the public domain,' he said.
'Social media has worsened the problem, where false allegations are repeated without question.'
Last month, IOL News reported that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed it would not pursue criminal prosecution in the case.
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The child was allegedly raped at Bergview College, a private school in Matatiele, in October 2024.
According to NPA national spokesperson Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga, the case docket was first submitted in November 2024 to prosecutors at the Matatiele Magistrate's Court and the Matatiele Thuthuzela Care Centre.
After interviewing the child and conducting a medical examination, prosecutors determined that the evidence was inconclusive and did not support prosecution.
The decision was later upheld by the Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions after further review.
The case was subsequently returned to the police.
However, following public pressure in April 2025, the NPA decided to publicly disclose its decision and confirmed that police had resubmitted the docket for further consideration.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu defended the investigation timeline, rejecting claims that it only began after public outcry.
'To say it took six months for SAPS to act is a dangerous exaggeration,' Mchunu previously said.
'The case was investigated as soon as it was reported in October.'
On April 1, 2025, Mbalula, during a media briefing at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, condemned the alleged rape of a 7-year-old girl at Bergview College in Matatiele and sharply criticised AfriForum for defending the accused.
'We are outraged and deeply saddened by the brutal violation of a seven-year-old child at Bergview College,' Mbalula said.
'Even more disgraceful is the involvement of organisations like AfriForum, who shield suspects rather than standing for justice.'
Mbalula described the alleged perpetrator as 'an animal,' saying, 'It is not a person who can rape a seven-year-old. That's not a human being... it's cannibalism.'
Meanwhile, on April 6, during the EFF's Land Reclamation Day event in Johannesburg, Malema accused the principal of being treated differently by law enforcement.
'The principal who raped Cwecwe must know that we are coming for him,' Malema said.
'We call on all victims of that principal to come out. He should not be working with children.'
Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade also commented publicly.
According to the lobby group, in a March 30 interview on Newzroom Afrika, he said, 'The principal is one of the suspects who should have submitted a long time ago. When he was called for a DNA test, he ran to his lawyers, clearly avoiding the investigation.'
Bateman said AfriForum will now seek criminal convictions against those who made the accusations, including politicians.
'If that involves a custodial sentence, going to jail, that would be preferable,' Bateman said.
'Politicians who lie publicly and destroy lives should go to jail.'
He confirmed that AfriForum will also assist Pieterse in filing civil lawsuits against Malema, Mbalula, Gade, and former DA MP Phumzile Van Damme, whom Bateman accused of driving a 'disinformation campaign.'
'Allegations were made against our organisation that we were protecting a rapist - which are entirely false,' he said.
Though Pieterse remains the official principal of Bergview College, he has not returned to work and remains in a difficult personal situation, Bateman said.
'He has had to leave his home. His family has received threats. His own daughter was contacted on Instagram and threatened with rape if he didn't submit DNA samples,' Bateman said.
'His entire life has been turned upside down.'
Bateman said classes at the school have since resumed.
He said despite the accusations, Pieterse remains committed to seeing justice served.
'He believes people who make false allegations should face the music,' he said.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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