‘My life was destroyed’: Innocent principal speaks out after Cwecwe rape case mistake

Political Killings Task Team

Cape Town – Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has apologised for falsely identifying Jaco Pieterse, principal of Bergview College in Matatiele, as a suspect in the alleged rape of a seven-year-old girl.

In a letter to AfriForum’s advocate Gerrie Nel, Mchunu admitted the error, took responsibility for a misleading police ministry statement issued on March 29, and expressed empathy for Pieterse, denying any intent to defame.

“I have human and personal empathy for your client and any other person who might have been wrongly fingered as a suspect in circumstances where he or they were only persons of interest.

“I categorically state that I never at any stage had an intention to defame your client nor any other person, for that matter. I am prepared to apologise to your client who was incorrectly identified as a suspect in this matter,” Mchunu wrote.

He acknowledged the information he relied on was inaccurate and promised internal action.

“As the Minister of Police, I take responsibility for the statement in question. I would like to assure you that it was issued in good faith and there was no malicious intent whatsoever.

“I authorised the issuing of the statement on the basis of information I had received and I had no reason not to believe in the truthfulness of the information that was placed before me. It later emerged that this information was inaccurate, a matter that will be addressed internally by the national commissioner of police,” Mchunu said.

Pieterse welcomed the apology, noting the severe personal and professional toll of the false accusation.

“The false accusation of rape against me has had devastating consequences on every aspect of my life. Personally, my family and I have suffered immense psychological trauma and threats to our safety and lives, were forced into hiding, abandoning our home, losing peace of mind and normal family life,” he said.

“Too many falsehoods and distortions are still circulating, and it’s time the truth is clearly and publicly acknowledged.”

AfriForum’s Private Prosecutions Unit criticised the mishandling, citing a leaked report indicating no evidence of sexual assault and the child’s denial of trauma.

The case, involving a minor known as Cwecwe, sparked public outrage and protests over systemic failures, amplified by social media.

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