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AfriForum Targets Mbalula and Malema Over Dropped Rape Case

Published

3 months ago

May 20, 2025

taryn

AfriForum’s private prosecution unit plans to take legal action against several public figures who accused Bergview College principal Jaco Pieterse and the school’s caretaker of raping a seven-year-old girl known as Cwecwe. This follows the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) decision to drop the case due to lack of evidence.

Case against Pieterse collapses

The NPA confirmed it would not prosecute after medical examinations and interviews found no conclusive evidence of rape or sexual assault. Despite this, high-profile politicians including ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, EFF leader Julius Malema, and Eastern Cape education MEC Fundile Gade had previously made public accusations against the two men.

AfriForum, which represents Pieterse, welcomed the NPA’s decision but criticised the authorities for their handling of the case.

Also Read: Public Outrage Grows as Petition for Justice in CweCwe Rape Case Gains Momentum

AfriForum accuses state of bowing to political pressure

Spokesperson Barry Bateman said police and prosecutors had access to the evidence in November 2024, and should have closed the case then. Instead, he said they continued to collect DNA samples, which he called “an abuse of process”.

“The authorities knew there was no evidence, but still allowed the case to drag on, opening our client up to public accusations and reputational harm,” said Bateman.

He warned that investigators had allowed political and social media pressure to drive their decisions, rather than the actual facts in the docket.

‘Trial by social media’ condemned

Bateman criticised Mbalula for accusing AfriForum of shielding a rape suspect. He said such statements contributed to a damaging “court of public opinion” that punished innocent people without due process.

“If the authorities fail to explain how this case was handled, it will send a dangerous message that politicians and social media influencers can hijack investigations,” said Bateman.

He added that the unit is preparing charges against those who, without evidence, accused the principal and caretaker of rape.