EC school principal lays charges against some politicians over 'false, reckless' claims of raping minor

JOHANNESBURG - The principal of a school in the Eastern Cape has laid criminal charges against some high-profile politicians whom he says falsely accused him of raping a seven-year-old pupil. 

AfriForum’s private prosecution unit accompanied Jaco Pieterse to the Sophiatown police station in Johannesburg on Friday morning.

READ: AfriForum pursuing defamation charges against officials who labelled EC principal as a rape suspect

Pieterse laid charges of crimen injuria and the violations of the cyber-crimes and intimidation acts against Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema, African National Congress (ANC) secretary general, Fikile Mbalula and the Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade. 

This relates to the alleged rape of the Eastern Cape pupil which gripped the nation a few months again, however, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) dropped the case citing insufficient evidence.

Speaking outside the police station, Pieterse said this had been the most difficult period of his life.

“I just want to say I am very relieved that the truth did come out but I’m also determined people know they can’t make any false and reckless statements on social media or the media.”

‘ALL ASPECTS OF MY LIFE AFFECTED’

The principal of Bergview College said false rape allegations against him have almost destroyed his life and profession.

Pieterse was at the centre of the high-profile case involving the minor.

Speaking out publicly for the first time at the Sophiatown police station in Johannesburg, Pieterse said his entire life was turned upside down.

“It’s life-changing, all aspects of my life has been affected. My professional career, personal life, physical and emotional. It’s just affected everything, family life, the whole existence.”

Pieterse said that as a result of the incident, he had been working remotely for the past few months.