Johannesburg – AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit says African National Congress Secretary General Fikile Mbalula and Economic Freedom Fighters Leader Julius Malema have been served with a summons to appear in court.
Mbalula and Malema face charges of crimen injuria for falsely branding school principal Jaco Pieterse a child rapist.
In a statement made available to The Bulrushes on Saturday, 24 October 2026, AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit said a “Gauteng Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions informed us that Fikile Mbalula was served with a summons to appear in court on 27 October 2026”.
The statement added: “However, this is being held in abeyance pending a review of the decision by the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Andy Mothibi.
“It has further come to our attention, although we have yet to receive written confirmation from the National Prosecuting Authority, that Julius Malema was also served with a summons to appear in court, but on 26 October 2026.
“Similarly, this is being held in abeyance pending the NDPP’s review of the decision to prosecute him.”
AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit said the National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed its decision to prosecute the two politicians.
“In relation to Mbalula, this development follows Gauteng DPP, Adv. Andrew Chauke, rejecting the suspect’s representations and informing his legal team that his office holds the view that a prima facie case exists against Mbalula and that the matter should be enrolled for adjudication before a competent court,” AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit stated.
“Adv. Chauke further rejected the suspect’s baseless allegation that the case was politically motivated, informing his legal team that his office had thoroughly studied the criminal case docket and based its decision on legal principles and facts.
“He stated confidently that there was no political influence and/or motivation attached to the decision.”
AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit said it has full confidence in Adv. Chauke and applauds his steadfast position that Mbalula has a case to answer.
“The unit hopes that Adv. Mothibi will also see the suspect’s representations as merely a frivolous attempt to evade his inevitable day in court,” the statement said.
“The unit is also confident that Malema will also eventually have his day in court to answer for the false and vile claims made about Pieterse.”
The Bergview College principal endured months of public scrutiny, threats and reputational damage after he was falsely linked to allegations that a seven-year-old pupil, known publicly as Cwecwe, had been raped at the Eastern Cape school in October 2024.
The allegations sparked widespread outrage and drew comments from prominent political figures, with Pieterse becoming the focus of public suspicion despite not having been charged with any crime.
Following investigations, the National Prosecuting Authority declined to prosecute Pieterse, citing a lack of evidence.
Even after he was cleared, Pieterse said the accusations turned his life upside down, affecting him personally and professionally.
The controversy eventually led to a mutual agreement between Pieterse and Bergview College to part ways in 2025.
Developing story…
