News24 reports that Bergview College and its former principal, Jaco Pieterse, who was falsely accused of raping a child, have parted ways.

In a letter dated 30 July, the school informed parents that Pieterse’s “employment relationship” had been “terminated by mutual consent”. AfriForum’s private prosecution unit, which represents Pieterse, also confirmed his “amicable departure from the school”. It was previously reported how Pieterse and his family had received death threats and had to go into hiding after the mother of a seven-year-old pupil at the school accused the police and school authorities of not properly handling her daughter’s alleged rape in October last year. The situation worsened after Pieterse declined to provide a DNA sample without an official request from the police, and several high-profile politicians subsequently made comments to the effect that he was potentially involved. Police have since confirmed that no foreign DNA was found on the child or her clothing, and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has decided not to prosecute anyone because there was “no conclusive evidence” she was sexually assaulted. Former police minister Senzo Mchunu previously admitted that he wrongly identified Pieterse as a suspect and apologised. Pieterse, through AfriForum, has opened criminal cases against ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, EFF leader Julius Malema, and Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade for having perpetuated the false claims against him.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bernadette Wicks at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
• Lees ook, Bergview College en skoolhoof se paaie skei, by Maroela Media

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