EASTERN CAPE. — Fikile Mbalula, the ANC's secretary-general, will be criminally prosecuted on a charge of crimen injuria over public statements made against Jaco Pieterse, former principal of Bergview College in Matatiele. The decision follows a criminal complaint laid by Pieterse with the assistance of AfriForum's private prosecution unit.
Barry Bateman, spokesperson for AfriForum's private prosecution unit, said Mbalula referred to the alleged rape of a Bergview learner during a media conference on one April 2025 following an ANC meeting. Among other things, he said AfriForum protected suspects and described Pieterse as a "beast".
The matter relates to an allegation by the mother of a child that her daughter was raped at Bergview College in October 2024. The NPA, however, indicated in 2025 that there was no evidence of rape or sexual assault and that no one would be prosecuted in connection with the alleged rape.
Adv. Gerrie Nel, head of AfriForum's private prosecution unit, on thirteen August 2026 made representations to the NPA and argued that Mbalula's remarks, within the context of the events, could be understood by the public as a reference to Pieterse. The NPA also confirmed in August that EFF leader Julius Malema will be prosecuted over similar statements about Pieterse.
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This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
