The ANC has hit back at AfriForum for laying criminal charges against secretary general Fikile Mbalula in connection with false claims made about the principal of a Matatiele school, calling the action “disingenuous, ideologically driven and flawed”.
Bergview College principal Jaco Pieterse is being represented by AfriForum. The ANC’s comment came after Pieterse, who was falsely implicated in the alleged rape of a 7-year-old girl, laid criminal charges on Friday against Mbalula, EFF leader Julius Malema and Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade.
According to News24, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, the ANC’s national spokesperson, said of the charges against Mbalula: “It reflects a tendency to deflect attention from the pain of victims and the responsibility we all share in building a society free of fear and violence. We will not apologise for speaking out in defence of the voiceless.”
News24 quoted Pieterse as saying: “While I am relieved that the truth has been revealed, I am determined to ensure that people understand that there are consequences for making irresponsible and false allegations on social media and other platforms.”
It also quoted AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel as saying: “The organisation has also instructed its legal team to initiate civil proceedings against Mbalula, but action against other parties who defamed Pieterse and AfriForum has yet to be determined.”
In its statement, the ANC also said: “We call on all progressive forces, including our alliance partners, the ANC Women’s League, youth formations and community organisations, to reject any effort to criminalise outrage and moral clarity in the face of GBV [gender-based violence] and femicide.”
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