News24 reports that Bergview College principal Jaco Pieterse has laid charges against prominent politicians whom he believes tarnished his reputation by falsely accusing him of raping a seven-year-old Matatiele child.

Pieterse, represented by AfriForum’s private prosecution unit, opened cases of crimen injuria against ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, EFF leader Julius Malema and Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade at the Sophiatown and Boksburg North police stations on Friday. In addition, Mbalula and Malema face charges related to violations of the Cybercrimes Act and the Intimidation Act. Several high-ranking political leaders had reportedly contended Pieterse had something to hide, fuelling speculation that he was the main suspect. Gade suggested, without any basis, that Pieterse might be linked to other alleged sexual assaults. Mbalula previously condemned AfriForum’s legal assistance of Pieterse as “disgraceful” and said it shielded “suspects rather than standing for justice”. In April, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu admitted that he had wrongly identified Pieterse as a suspect in the rape of the girl and said he was prepared to apologise to him. Last month, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) declined to prosecute anyone for the alleged rape of the girl because there was “no conclusive evidence” that she had been sexually assaulted. AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel said the charges filed were “just the beginning” and that “action against other parties who defamed Pieterse and AfriForum has yet to be determined”.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
• Lees ook, Bergview: AfriForum doen eerste stappe teen ministers, ander, by Maroela Media
• En ook, ANC verdedig Mbalula ná Bergview-uitsprake, by Maroela Media

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