Fikile Mbalula to face prosecution over alleged remarks about school principal

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has decided to prosecute African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula for crimen injuria. The charges stem from comments Mbalula allegedly made in April 2025 regarding a former principal of Bergview College, Jaco Pieterse.

According to AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit, Mbalula branded Pieterse a child rapist and referred to him as an “animal” during a media address. These remarks followed an investigation into an alleged rape at the Matatiele-based college in October 2024, a case for which the NPA previously declined to prosecute due to a lack of evidence.

Pieterse, supported by AfriForum, filed criminal complaints alleging that Mbalula’s statements unlawfully impaired his dignity. This legal action follows a similar decision by the NPA to prosecute EFF leader Julius Malema regarding the same matter. The ANC has declined to comment on the specific allegations or the legal proceedings.