Mchunu apologises to Bergview College principal for false rape accusation

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Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has apologised to Bergview College principal, Jaco Pieterse, for falsely identifying him as a suspect in the alleged rape of a young girl that attended the school in Matatiele, Eastern Cape.

News of the alleged rape of the seven-year-old which her mother was adamant happened inside school premises sent shocking waves and sparked outrage across the country. As a result, thousands protested in different provinces in support of the young girl and demanding justice for her and other victims of rape.

WHY WAS THE BERGVIEW PRINCIPAL IDENTIFIED AS A SUSPECT?

As previously reported by The South African, a case was reportedly opened but months later, no one has been arrested or held accountable and the mother alleged that the school does not want to cooperate in the investigation.

As a result, the Eastern Cape Department of Education issued a notice to deregister Bergview College, and the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, also identified Pieterse as a suspect in the matter, and that police had taken his DNA sample.

The AfriForum Private Prosecution Unit, which represents Pieterse, refuted claims that it was protecting the Bergview College school principal for defending him against the allegations.

The unit insisted that Pieterse was not a suspect in the rape case involving the minor at the school, nor has the SAPS ever regarded him as a suspect that would justify their request for a buccal sample for DNA testing.

“Further, it is the unit’s understanding that Pieterse had no contact with the victim before the offence was committed, nor is there any evidence that the offence took place on school grounds. The Investigating Officer’s informal request that Pieterse provide a buccal sample was made at the behest of the victim’s mother. Therefore, it is patently untrue that Pieterse has not co-operated with the Police in their investigation,” the unit said.

MCHUNU APOLOGISES FOR FALSE ACCUSATION

In a letter issued to the AfriForum Private Prosecution Unit, Mchunu said he authorised the issuing of the statement based on information he had received, and he had no reason not to believe in the truthfulness of the information that was placed before him.

“It later emerged that this information was inaccurate, a matter that will be addressed internally by the National Commissioner of Police,” he said.

Although the Bergview College principal has welcomed Mchunu’s apology, he said the false accusation of rape against him has had devastating consequences on every aspect of his life.

“Personally, my family and I have suffered immense psychological trauma and threats to our safety and lives, and were forced into hiding, abandoning our home, losing peace of mind, and normal family life. Too many falsehoods and distortions are still circulating, and it’s time the truth is clearly and publicly acknowledged,” he said.