COLLEGE IN RAPE SAGA NOW TURNS TO COURT

Eastern Cape school under fire over handling of rape involving girl, 7

- NICOLA DANIELS

BERGVIEW College, an independent school in the Eastern Cape has remained defiant that its doors will remain open despite a 24-hour notice to deregister over its handling of the rape of a 7-year-old allegedly on school premises.

The school intends to challenge the Eastern Cape Department of Education's (ECDE) decision to issue it with a notice with the intention to deregister.

This follows complaints that a rape case involving a 7-year old learner at the school has dragged on for several months with no resolution and the the principal allegedly refusing to provide police with a DNA sample.

Police minister Senzo Mchunu on Saturday confirmed three individuals, including the school principal, had been identified as suspects in the rape of a 7-year-old girl, from Matatiele, who was raped allegedly on the school premises, while waiting for her transport.

"All outstanding statements have since been obtained by the Investigating Officer. DNA tests have also been conducted. The Senior State Prosecutor will be consulted in the course of the coming week whereafter, the family will be provided with feedback on the matter," Mchunu said. Afriforum, who had been accused of protecting the principal, said their private prosecution unit rejects "any suggestion that the unit is protecting a suspected rapist from investigation".

"The unit represents Jaco Pieterse, Principal of Bergview College in Matatiele. Pieterse is not a suspect in the rape case involving a learner at the school, nor have the South African Police Service (SAPS) ever regarded him as a suspect that would justify their request for a buccal sample for DNA testing.