Bergview College parts ways with principal Jaco Pieterse in wake of rape allegations
The case against Pieterse was dropped by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) after it found 'no conclusive evidence' that the seven-year-old child was ever assaulted.
FILE: Jaco Pieterse in Johannesburg on 13 June 2025 as he laid charges against some prominent politicians over 'false, reckless' claims that he raped a minor. Picture: Thabiso Goba/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - Bergview College in the Eastern Cape said it had amicably parted ways with Jaco Pieterse, a former principal accused of rape.
Pieterse was at the centre of the alleged rape case of a seven-year-old Eastern Cape pupil that gripped the nation this year.
The case was, however, dropped by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) after it found "no conclusive evidence" that the child was ever assaulted.
In a letter to parents dated 30 July, the chairperson of the school’s board of trustees said that Bergview College and Pieterse parted ways by mutual consent with effect from 30 June 2025.
"A detailed communication regarding this matter will be issued in due course. The board has resolved to appoint Mr T Cook as acting principal to 31 December 2025, during which the board will recruit the services of a full principal in terms of Bergview College’s recruitment policy," the letter reads.
Pieterse later laid defamation charges against African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFf) leader, Julius Malema, and Eastern Cape MEC for Education Fundile Gade for accusing him of raping the child.
AfriForum’s private prosecution unit represented Pieterse in the case.
The unit's spokesperson, Barry Bateman: "Our current priority is to ensure the prosecution of those who falsely accused him of being a suspect in an alleged rape."