By Anita Dangazele
- Politicians and social media users are blamed for spreading false rape claims.
- The state dropped the case, saying there was no proof of rape or abuse.
AfriForum’s private prosecution unit plans to lay charges against people who accused the principal of Bergview College in Matatiele and a caretaker of raping a seven-year-old girl known as Cwecwe.
Those accused include ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, EFF leader Julius Malema, and Eastern Cape education MEC Fundile Gade.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said there was not enough evidence to take the case to court. After the girl was checked by doctors and spoken to, there was no proof of rape or sexual assault.
AfriForum welcomed the NPA’s decision but said the police and NPA must explain why the case was dropped. They say that will help clear the names of principal Jaco Pieterse and the caretaker.
“It is deeply concerning that it has now been confirmed that the SAPS and NPA were aware of the evidence, or lack thereof, in the case docket in November 2024. This suggests that the subsequent collection of buccal samples constituted an abuse of process,” said AfriForum’s Barry Bateman.
Pieterse is represented by AfriForum. He refused to give DNA samples during the investigation and was criticised for it. Mbalula said AfriForum was protecting a rapist.
AfriForum says the police were influenced by pressure from the public and social media, instead of sticking to the facts.
“Our assessment of the facts worryingly suggests as the only reasonable inference that the authorities have allowed themselves to be intimidated by nameless and faceless keyboard warriors into investigating a case, despite there being no conclusive evidence of rape or sexual assault included in the docket after examination of the victim.
“This led to innocent people being convicted in the court of public opinion,” said Bateman.
He warned that police must always follow facts and not be pushed by social media.
“If the authorities fail to provide a clear explanation of what happened, it may set a precedent in which an aggrieved party with the ability to rally social media supporters, politicians, and lobby groups can direct an investigation and identify the suspects.
“This would clearly be an abuse of the criminal justice system and has provided an impetus to take action against politicians, social media detectives, and influencers who convicted our clients of rape.”
Pictured above: Jaco Pieterse, the principal of Bergview College in Matatiele.
Image source: Facebook
