AfriForum has called upon Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to publicly apologise to the principal of Bergview College, who has been wrongfully accused of being a suspect in a heartbreaking case involving the alleged rape of a seven-year-old learner. The situation, already fraught with tension, has been exacerbated by Mchunu’s controversial remarks that have left the principal’s reputation in tatters.
The allegations centre around a deeply troubling incident that reportedly occurred at the Eastern Cape school last year, when the young victim was allegedly assaulted while waiting for her scholar transport. Recently, Mchunu announced during a media briefing in Pretoria that DNA sampling in connection with the case had been conducted and confirmed that three individuals are currently considered “persons of interest.” However, it was his earlier statement regarding the principal that has ignited outrage and a call for accountability.
AfriForum has stepped in to represent the principal, who, according to the group, has been thoroughly cooperative with the investigation. Advocate Gerrie Nel, leading AfriForum’s private prosecution unit, stated emphatically, “Mr Pieterse, which is fact, was never a suspect in the matter. He had cooperated with the police entirely.” Neighbouring this assertion is the shocking revelation that Mchunu publicly contradicted this information just four hours after AfriForum’s initial statement, perpetuating what Bateman describes as “this fictitious claim that he was a suspect.”
This misrepresentation, he continues, “has destroyed the man’s life; it has damaged the schooling community and this could have been stopped if the minister had simply told the truth and set the record straight.” The emotional toll on the principal is palpable, compounded by speculation and stigma that has emerged as a result of the minister’s comments.
As the situation evolves, AfriForum is preparing to assist the principal in filing criminal charges for defamation against Mchunu, a move that reflects the escalating tension and desperation for justice and clarity in a case that already involves sensitive and distressing details.
While Mchunu insists that the investigation is ongoing, the broader impact of the minister’s statements raises questions about accountability within government ranks, particularly regarding how critical information is communicated to the public—especially in cases impacting vulnerable populations like children.