The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has decided to prosecute ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula on a charge of crimen injuria after he accused the principal of Bergview College, Jaco Pieterse, of raping a child.
The decision follows submissions by Afriforum calling for Mbalula to be prosecuted over the allegation.
The matter stems from claims made by an Eastern Cape mother that her daughter was raped at the school in 2024, allegedly by either Pieterse or the school’s caretaker.
The NPA previously declined to prosecute Pieterse, saying there was insufficient conclusive evidence to establish that the child had been sexually assaulted.
Afriforum subsequently approached Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions Andrew Chauke, asking him to reconsider the matter and pursue a prosecution against Mbalula.
Chauke informed the lobby group on Monday that the NPA had decided to proceed with the prosecution.
NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago confirmed the decision.
“We, as the NDPP, were informed by the DPP in Gauteng South that they have made this decision and have communicated it to Afriforum,” Kganyago said.
Afriforum’s head of private prosecutions, Gerrie Nel, welcomed the NPA’s decision.
“This decision to prosecute must send out a strong message that one cannot say or post what they want. There will be consequences. We want to make it clear that no one is above the law,” Nel said.
Meanwhile, EFF leader Julius Malema is also set to face prosecution on a crimen injuria charge.