By Simon Nare
Civil rights group AfriForum has secured the prosecution of ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema for crimen injuria arising from statements they made accusing an Eastern Cape principal of being a child rapist.
AfriForum legal counsel Advocate Gerrie Nel announced on Monday that the organisation had successfully challenged the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) initial decision not to prosecute the two politicians.
The organisation had argued that Mbalula and Malema wrongfully referred to former Bergville College principal Jaco Pieterse, from Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, as a child rapist despite him being cleared of the allegations.
AfriForum said the remarks, made on public platforms, severely damaged Pieterse’s reputation, cost him his job and business and forced him to flee his home.
Nel said the NPA had confirmed to AfriForum that Mbalula and Malema would be prosecuted in the Johannesburg Regional Court.
He
You’ve reached your free article limit
Subscribe to enjoy unlimited access to trusted journalism. Cancel anytime.
Subscribe nowNeed help? molokom@insidepolitic.co.za
