Matatiele child rape: Mchunu admits mistake , apologises to principal he wrongly accused

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has apologised to Bergview College principal Jaco Pieterse after wrongly naming him as a suspect in a rape case involving a seven-year-old girl.

In a letter sent to AfriForum’s advocate Gerrie Nel, Mchunu admitted the police ministry made a serious error in a statement issued on 29 March.

The statement claimed “three individuals, including the school principal,” were suspects in the rape of a child known as Cwecwe at a school in Matatiele, Eastern Cape.

Mchunu said the information he received at the time seemed accurate but turned out to be wrong. He confirmed that the statement was released with his approval.

“I have human and personal empathy for your client and any other person who might have been wrongly fingered,” he wrote.

“I categorically state that I never at any stage had an intention to defame your client.”

Mchunu said he took full responsibility for the error and insisted there was no malicious intent behind the statement.

“There is no inherent malice in committing a mistake — human beings are prone to error, even though we strive for perfection,” he said.

He said he was willing to apologise personally to Pieterse and acknowledged the damage done to him, his family and the Bergview College community.

AfriForum said Pieterse accepted the apology but would continue to consider criminal charges against public figures who named him publicly without proof.

Spokesperson Barry Bateman said: “This unfortunate incident highlights the importance of due process and allowing police to investigate without interference from politicians or social media.”

He added that such cases must be handled with care, especially when they involve children.

Mchunu also confirmed that DNA testing found no foreign DNA on the child. “Three persons of interest have since emerged and more DNA tests are underway,” he said.

To calm public outrage, Mchunu sent Major-General Lekhele, head of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, to lead the investigation.

Two colonels who specialise in forensic social work are also part of the team.

“A thorough investigation is now fully underway,” said Mchunu. “We’re consulting all relevant parties to make sure every part of this case is carefully examined.”

He added that police were committed to correcting past mistakes and winning back public trust.

“We understand the pain and anger this has caused — not just for the family, but the entire nation.”