THE Matatiele in the Eastern Cape is on the map, not for a good reason this time.
This follows the news of rape allegations of a seven year-old learner that has beset the Bergview College, that took place in October 2024.
Today, we can confirm the principal of the school Jaco Pieterse has submitted a DNA sample as part of the Police investigation, after initial refusal.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu confirmed this on Monday, saying that the principal was one of three suspects implicated in their investigation.
Vuyiseka Mboxela, the spokesperson for Education MEC, Fundile Gade, said a rape case was opened in October 2024 and to this date the matter has not yet made progress.
She said the department was concerned with the school principal’s apparent refusal to cooperate with the police.
Mboxela said school officials, who were served with the notice from department officials on Friday, signed an acknowledgement of receipt.
She said the department would assist with the placement of learners at other schools.
This startling news came to the fore, after the mother of the victim revealed during a podcast, Hope Revolution, that her daughter was raped on Monday October 14 2024.
The mother’s name has been withheld to protect the identity of the child.
“She went to school, came back late and said nothing. On Tuesday, she went to school and she did not say anything. About 6pm, she complained about her stomach and she would then go to the toilet and come back,” she said on the podcast.
“On Wednesday, she could not walk and when I checked her I realised something was wrong, so we went to the doctor for a consultation. The doctor checked and confirmed that the huge opening at the back was because of a sexual assault. I ran out of the room crying as I know how sexual assault feels because I am a victim. The doctor checked her on the front as well and confirmed that there’s penetration as well, but it’s not as deep as the one at the back,” she said.
According to the mother, the child told them that on Monday when the alleged rape took place the caretaker instructed her to go sweep the classroom alone and she got tired and she passed out until she heard the caretaker saying her school transport driver had arrived.
She said the only thing she could remember before she became unconscious was the smell of a burning tyre.
As a result, over 70 000 people have signed a petition demanding justice.
The virtual community came together on Saturday in Braamfontein, Johannesburg and Durban to protest over the incident, calling on #JusticeForCwecwe. The petition is expected to be handed over to President Cyril Ramaphosa on April 11 at the Union Buildings.
On Saturday, the Eastern Cape department of education said it had issued Bergview College with a notice to deregister the school.
“The department views the case in a serious light and sought to take action in the interest of all learners at the school. The school representative received the letter and acknowledged,” read the statement.
Basic education minister Siviwe Gwarube said that she is being updated on the merits of the case.
Barry Bateman, from AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit, had defended principal Pieterse.
