Bergview College Principal Jaco Pieterse has broken his silence on his being accused of being a person of interest in the rape case of schoolgirl, Cwecwe.
The Eastern Cape educator has faced scrutiny on social media over allegations he refused to submit a DNA sample.
However, Pieterse has stated that he was unfairly roped into the investigation and is now living in fear after receiving death threats.
CWECWE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SPEAKS OUT
In an X thread, Barrie Bateman from AfriForum’s private prosecution unit shared insight from Jaco Pieterse, who has been named as a person of interest in the rape of Cwecwe last year.
According to the principal, he was one of three men who had been ordered to submit a DNA sample to the police.
While investigating officers ruled out his initial involvement, Pieterse claims Cwecwe’s mother insisted that his sample be taken.
Due to the public scrutiny and Pieterse’s hiring of AfriForum to legally represent him, a torrent of social media abuse was directed at him.
He said: “It felt like a lifetime of trying to make a difference in our country was ripped out by those words.”
“I don’t think the full impact of the matter has hit me yet. I think about unfinished building projects and dreams built around it.
“I think of my wife’s guesthouse that had to close down because of threats, I think of close friends and family who have been threatened, and who are at risk, I think about my teaching career.
He added: “I experienced frustration, surprise, disbelief, and concern for others”.
CWECWE’S MOM INSISTED ON DNA SAMPLES
According to Barry Bateman, social media users had shared “false allegations” presented as “facts” about Jaco Pieterse’s involvement in the Cwecwe case.
He also claimed that Cwecwe’s mother has insisted that investigating officers obtain a DNA sample from the principal.
MAN WITH SAME NAME SUFFERS ABUSE
Meanwhile, a man with the same name as Cwecwe’s Bergview College school principal is also receiving threats from the public.
The Free State handyman, who runs his own small business, has been attacked in a case of mistaken identity. The attacks have seen people arrive at his home and even target his business.
“My only sin is that my name is Jaco Pieterse,” said the man.
DO YOU THINK THAT JACO PIETERSE HAS BEEN UNFAIRLY TARGETED BY THE PUBLIC IN THE CWECWE INVESTIGATION?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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