AfriForum hopeful Mbalula case will lead to successful conviction
It says it comes after it reviewed a lack of evidence in the docket of Bergview College principal.
Lobby group AfriForum has come forward to explain its decision to seek prosecution against African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Fikile Mbalula. The organization revealed its intention to pursue the case after evaluating the absence of evidence within the docket of Bergview College principal Jaco Pieterse, who allegedly faced false accusations of sexually assaulting a child.
Mbalula is also under scrutiny for making false allegations against Pieterse. Private Prosecution Unit spokesperson for AfriForum, Barry Bateman, stated that the case appears to be a clear-cut one. "We argue that it was absolutely irrational to base a decision on a docket with no evidence. We firmly believe it's a straightforward case," Bateman explained.
Bateman emphasized that Mbalula made highly derogatory statements about Pieterse during an ANC NEC conference, referring to him as an animal, a cannibal, and a rapist. Furthermore, AfriForum claims there's no indication of a rape taking place in Pieterse's case. Bateman also noted that Pieterse continues to struggle with unemployment and has not been able to secure a job due to the negative publicity he received.
The group pointed out that the victim denied the allegations, and there's no evidence of a rape. Bateman further mentioned that although Minister Senzo Mchunu had issued an apology, Pieterse has not received one, leaving the impact of the false allegations on him and his family profound.
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