Julius Malema to Face Criminal Prosecution for Calling School Principal a Rapist
- AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit convinced the NPA to prosecute EFF leader Julius Malema for crimen injuria
- Malema made the false rape allegation against former Bergview College principal Jaco Pieterse at a public event in April 2025
- The NPA had previously declined to prosecute anyone over the alleged rape after medical and forensic examinations found no evidence
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Source: Facebook
SOUTH AFRICA — The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has instructed the chief public prosecutor at the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court to initiate a criminal prosecution against Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema on a charge of crimen injuria.
The instruction follows representations made by advocate Gerrie Nel, head of AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit, on behalf of Jaco Pieterse, the former principal of Bergview College in Matatiele.
What Malema said
On 6 April 2025, Malema addressed supporters at the EFF's Land Reclamation Day at the Sophiatown Extreme Park in Johannesburg. During his address, he publicly identified Pieterse by implication, claiming the principal had raped a seven-year-old girl and suggesting he may be a serial offender who was receiving preferential treatment from authorities.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
The allegations arose from a complaint made by the child's mother in October 2024. However, in May 2025 the NPA confirmed it would not prosecute anyone linked to the alleged rape. The authority's spokesperson stated that there is no evidence of rape or sexual assault after the minor girl was interviewed and examined by medical practitioners and forensic social workers.
Gerrie Nel Invokes Malema's Own Conduct
Pieterse laid a criminal complaint for crimen injuria at the Sophiatown Police Station in June 2025. When the NPA did not move to prosecute, AfriForum's unit filed formal representations on 18 June 2026.
In those representations, Nel drew a pointed comparison to Malema's own legal history. He noted that Malema had previously sought court protection after being publicly labelled a drug dealer, and had also instructed lawyers to act against a blogger who claimed his marriage was in trouble.
Malema's legal team argued at the time that the blogger's claims had exposed him to ridicule, speculation, humiliation and reputational harm on a mass scale and caused emotional harm to his children.
"Well-informed of his right to dignity and privacy, he, without cause and on a public platform, called Pieterse a 'rapist'," Nel concluded in his representations.
Pieterse welcomed the NPA's decision, saying it had "lifted a huge weight off his shoulders." He added:
"The false allegations have not only harmed me but have also caused immense pain to my family and friends. I hope the courts send a strong message that there are consequences for making such reckless and damaging allegations."
Similar Complaints Against Mbalula and Gade
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula and Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade face similar criminal complaints for making identical public allegations against Pieterse. According to a press release, AfriForum stated that engagements with the NPA regarding both officials are ongoing, and the unit remains committed to ensuring that political status does not shield anyone from accountability.
The date on which Malema's matter will be enrolled at the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court has not yet been confirmed.
Source: Facebook
More on SA politics
- Briefly News recently reported on MacG addressing Julius Malema's public criticism of his podcast, revealing why he believes powerful figures feel threatened by its growing influence.
- Sizwe Dhlomo left Julius Malema visibly stunned after hinting at which party he plans to vote for in the upcoming local government elections.
- Meanwhile, Sizwe Dhlomo weighed in on a new poll predicting the ANC's performance in Johannesburg, sparking a mixed reaction from South Africans online.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay informed and follow us on Google News!
Source: Briefly News
