‘Traumatised’ Pieterse leaves Bergview College by mutual agreement
Bergview College in Matatiele has parted ways with its principal, Jaco Pieterse, who was falsely accused of rape.
Pieterse was falsely identified as a suspect in the rape of a seven-year-old girl, known as Cwecwe, in the Eastern Cape in March.
The National Prosecuting Authority later confirmed that Pieterse had been cleared as evidence linking him to the rape was insufficient.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu also came under fire for falsely linking the principal to the rape, but later apologised, saying he takes full responsibility for issuing a statement based on what he heard instead of seeking the truth.
According to the school, a mutual agreement was reached by the parties in light of the death threats and intimidation that Pieterse has been subjected to since the start of the ordeal.
Pieterse has since opened a case of crimen injuria against ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, EFF leader Julius Malema, and Fundile Gade, the MEC for Education in the Eastern Cape, for public remarks they made in connection with the case.
A staff member at Bergview College, who preferred not to be named, told Jacaranda FM News on Monday that Pieterse was too traumatised to continue working.
“The principal was very traumatised, he was receiving death threats, and he did not feel comfortable returning to Matatiele. So, there was a mutual understanding to terminate the contract. His family was going through a lot.”
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