ANC backs Mbalula in legal dispute, attacks AfriForum for ‘political theatre’
AfriForum want ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula prosecuted for crimen injuria over comment made about a school principal.
The African National Congress (ANC) has publicly supported its secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, amid a potential legal dispute from AfriForum. Mbalula may face crimen injuria charges for comments made about Jaco Pieterse, the former principal of Bergview College, and a young girl later known as Cwecwe. Both parties informed the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) about Mbalula's remarks, but AfriForum argues that the statements had unambiguous references to Pieterse and the victim.
The NPA, initially agreeing with Mbalula's explanation, later referred the matter to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) for further examination. The ANC criticized AfriForum's announcement of the NPA reconsidering Mbalula's prosecution as "irregular and potentially corrupt," asserting that the comments were made within the party's official channels and by the minister of police.
AfriForum contends that Mbalula's comments portrayed Pieterse as "sick and not a human being," and that Pieterse was the only principal of Bergview College mentioned in national coverage. The ANC emphasized that AfriForum's unwavering focus on Mbalula bordered on harassment and targeted political activity, vowing to remain united against such attempts to derail the party's transformation agenda.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
