AfriForum secures prosecution of Julius Malema for crimen injuria over comments about former principal
AfriForum has confirmed that the National Prosecuting Authority NPA will pursue a crimen injuria charge against Julius Malema in the Johannesburg Magistrate鈥檚 Court. This follows comments Malema made about Jaco Pieterse, the former principal of Bergview College. Pieterse was at the center of an incident where a mother claimed her daughter was raped in October 2024. The NPA previously stated there was insufficient evidence to prove the incident occurred. Despite this, Malema publicly called Pieterse a "rapist" at a rally. Pieterse, who was cleared by the NPA and police, filed complaints against Malema, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, and Eastern Cape education MEC Fundile Gade for similar remarks. After a year without progress, AfriForum intervened, leading to the NPA's decision to institute prosecution against Malema. AfriForum's head of private prosecutions unit, Gerrie Nel, highlighted Malema's own actions in seeking prosecution for alleged defamatory remarks, noting that Malema understands the impact of false allegations on a person's dignity. Pieterse expressed hope that the case would hold powerful individuals accountable for making reckless and damaging allegations.
