Latest news with #BergviewCollege
IOL News
17-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Mbalula will not apologise for remarks on Bergview principal, says ANC
The ANC has defended its Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula amid criminal charges from Berview principal. Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers THE ANC has remained unmoved by a criminal complaint against its secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, saying defending outrage against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV-F) is not a crime. The party was responding to reports that Bergview College principal Jaco Pieterse lodged a criminal complaint against him. Represented by AfriForum's Private Prosecuting Unit, Pieterse, alleges that Mbalula, along with EFF leader Julius Malema and Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade, violated his dignity by falsely accusing him of raping a child. Pieterse claims the trio publicly accused him of raping a 7-year-old girl, known as Cwecwe, after her mother suspected that she was raped. Medical reports had since found that there were no traces of sexual assault. Last month the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) stopped pursuing the case saying they did not hold enough evidence. However, the ANC has slammed AfriForum's decision to pursue the matter, calling it "disingenuous, ideologically driven, and flawed." The party maintains that defending outrage against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV-F) is not a crime. "We will not apologise for speaking out in defence of the voiceless," ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu wrote in a statement. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading "We call on all progressive forces, including our Alliance partners, the ANC Women's League, youth formations, religious and community organisations, to reject any effort to criminalise outrage and moral clarity in the face of GBV-F,' Bhengu added. The party has reaffirmed its support for Mbalula, saying he carried the voice of millions when he condemned the rape of a seven-year-old girl at Bergview College. "We urge all to act with vigilance against those who exploit the justice system for ideological ends and threaten prosecution against those who defend what is right," the party said. EFF spokesperson Sinawo Tambo had not provided a response on charges being laid against Malema. Pieterse lodged a criminal complaint of crimen-injuria and intimidation at the Sophiatown police station in Gauteng against Mbalula, Malema, and Gade while Mbalula and Malema face additional charges of violating the Cybercrime and Intimidation Acts. In his affidavit, Pieterse asks that the rape docket be included as the first exhibit in his cases, citing the scope and extent of the lies told about him. "The consequences of the reckless and malicious statements made against me have had an irreversible and devastating impact on every aspect of my life," he said Spokesperson for AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit, Barry Bateman, said the politicians' comments were unjust and violated Pieterse's dignity. "Pieterse was publicly labelled a paedophile, a label that in society's eyes is among the most irredeemable and damning," Bateman said. 'South Africa has a rape crisis, we have a child abuse crisis, and being falsely accused of committing such a crime against a child is devastating,' Bateman said. 'This is why we are pursuing these charges.' Bateman also criticised Mbalula, who he said had referred to Pieterse as 'an animal,' questioning how AfriForum could defend 'an animal who rapes children". 'This is simply unacceptable. There must be consequences for people who falsely accuse others in the public domain,' he said. Bateman added that both Malema and Mbalula have approached the courts in recent years because they felt their dignity had been harmed. 'Malema claimed that accusations of illegal dealings and accepting cocaine from drug dealers had left him feeling 'degraded and humiliated' while Mbalula's court case involved accusations of corruption, which the court found had caused him and his family "actual injury"," Bateman said. Cape Times
IOL News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
ANC defends Mbalula amid criminal charges over 'Cwecwe' case
The ANC has defended its Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula amid criminal charges from Berview principal. Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers The ANC has come to the defense of its Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, after Bergview College principal Jaco Pieterse filed criminal charges against him. Pieterse, represented by AfriForum's Private Prosecuting Unit, alleges that Mbalula, along with EFF leader Julius Malema and Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade, violated his dignity by falsely accusing him of raping a child. Pieterse claims the trio publicly accused him of raping a 7-year-old girl, known as Cwecwe, after her mother suspected that she was raped, however medical reports had since found that there were no traces of sexual assault. However, the ANC has slammed AfriForum's decision to pursue the matter, calling it "disingenuous, ideologically driven, and flawed." The party maintains that defending outrage against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV-F) is not a crime. "We will not apologise for speaking out in defence of the voiceless," ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu wrote in a statement. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ "We call on all progressive forces, including our Alliance partners, the ANC Women's League, youth formations, religious and community organisations, to reject any effort to criminalise outrage and moral clarity in the face of GBV-F,' Bhengu added. The party has reaffirmed its support for Mbalula, saying he carried the voice of millions when he condemned the rape of a seven-year-old girl at Bergview College. "We urge all to act with vigilance against those who exploit the justice system for ideological ends and threaten prosecution against those who defend what is right," the party said. EFF spokesperson Sinawo Tambo had not provided a response on charges being laid against Malema. Pieterse filed charges of crimen-injuria and intimidation at the Sophiatown police station in Gauteng against Mbalula, Malema, and Gade while Mbalula and Malema face additional charges of violating the Cybercrime and Intimidation Acts. In his affidavit, Pieterse asks that the rape docket be included as the first exhibit in his cases, citing the scope and extent of the lies told about him. "The consequences of the reckless and malicious statements made against me have had an irreversible and devastating impact on every aspect of my life," he said Spokesperson for AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit, Barry Bateman, said the politicians' comments were unjust and violated Pieterse's dignity. "Pieterse was publicly labelled a paedophile, a label that in society's eyes is among the most irredeemable and damning," Bateman said. 'South Africa has a rape crisis, we have a child abuse crisis, and being falsely accused of committing such a crime against a child is devastating,' Bateman said. 'This is why we are pursuing these charges.' Bateman also criticised Mbalula, who he said had referred to Pieterse as 'an animal,' questioning how AfriForum could defend 'an animal who rapes children". 'This is simply unacceptable. There must be consequences for people who falsely accuse others in the public domain,' he said. Bateman added that both Malema and Mbalula have approached the courts in recent years because they felt their dignity had been harmed. 'Malema claimed that accusations of illegal dealings and accepting cocaine from drug dealers had left him feeling 'degraded and humiliated' while Mbalula's court case involved accusations of corruption, which the court found had caused him and his family "actual injury"," Bateman said. Cwecwe, whose case was widely supported nationally, was raped last October at a private school in Matatiele. Last month the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) stopped pursuing the case saying they did not hold enough evidence. According to NPA national spokesperson Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga, the case docket was first reportedly submitted in November 2024 to prosecutors at the Matatiele Magistrate's Court and the Matatiele Thuthuzela Care Centre. After interviewing the child and conducting a medical examination, prosecutors reportedly determined that the evidence was inconclusive and did not support prosecution. This was later upheld by the Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions after further review.
TimesLIVE
13-06-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Bergview College principal lays criminal charges over rape accusations
Bergview College principal Jaco Pieterse has filed a criminal case against ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, EFF leader Julius Malema and Eastern Cape education MEC Fundile Gade for publicly violating his dignity after allegedly falsely accusing him of the rape of a seven-year-old girl at the school. Additional charges for violating the Cybercrime and Intimidation Act were also laid against Malema and Mbalula. Pieterse, who is represented by AfriForum's private prosecution unit, opened the case on Friday at the Sophiatown and Boksburg North police stations and was accompanied by the unit. AfriForum has also instructed its legal team to initiate civil proceedings against Mbalula. 'While I am relieved that the truth has been revealed, I am determined to ensure that people understand that there are consequences for making irresponsible and false allegations on social media and other platforms,' Pieterse said. The case revolves around the seven-year-old girl in Matatiele who was allegedly raped at the school last year. Pieterse and the school's caretaker were identified in a police statement as the main suspects, and he was criticised for refusing to submit DNA samples to the police. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) dropped the case due to insufficient evidence. 'The consequences of the reckless and malicious statements made against me have had an irreversible and devastating impact on every aspect of my life. The trauma and losses I have suffered will take years, if ever, to heal,' Pieterse said. The AfriForum unit's spokesperson Barry Bateman said the accusations violated Pieterse's dignity. 'Pieterse was publicly labelled a paedophile, a label that in society's eyes is among the most irredeemable and damning. Pieterse's case is especially serious because his job entails caring for children. 'We expect the police and the NPA to act with haste to ensure there is justice for Pieterse and his family. These are uncomplicated cases. While evidence has been provided to the police, it is still available on media websites and social media platforms,' Bateman said.
IOL News
13-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Bergview principal lays charges against Malema, Mbalula for 'false rape claims'
Bergview College principal Jaco Pieterse (red tie) has filed charges against Julius Malema, Fikile Mbalula, and MEC Fundile Gade over alleged false claims linking him to the rape of a 7-year-old girl Image: X The principal of Bergview College, Jaco Pieterse, has laid criminal charges against ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, EFF leader Julius Malema, and Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade after being publicly accused of raping a 7-year-old girl, known as Cwecwe. The charges, which were filed at Sophiatown police station in Gauteng, include crimen injuria, intimidation, and contravention of the Cybercrimes Act. Barry Bateman, spokesperson for lobby group AfriForum, which is representing Pieterse, told the media on Friday morning outside the police station that the allegations had devastated the principal's life and career. 'South Africa has a rape crisis, we have a child abuse crisis, and being falsely accused of committing such a crime against a child is devastating,' Bateman said. 'This is why we are pursuing these charges.' Bateman also criticised Mbalula, who he said had referred to Pieterse as 'an animal,' questioning how AfriForum could defend 'an animal who rapes children.' 'This is simply unacceptable. There must be consequences for people who falsely accuse others in the public domain,' he said. 'Social media has worsened the problem, where false allegations are repeated without question.' Last month, IOL News reported that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed it would not pursue criminal prosecution in the case. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The child was allegedly raped at Bergview College, a private school in Matatiele, in October 2024. According to NPA national spokesperson Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga, the case docket was first submitted in November 2024 to prosecutors at the Matatiele Magistrate's Court and the Matatiele Thuthuzela Care Centre. After interviewing the child and conducting a medical examination, prosecutors determined that the evidence was inconclusive and did not support prosecution. The decision was later upheld by the Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions after further review. The case was subsequently returned to the police. However, following public pressure in April 2025, the NPA decided to publicly disclose its decision and confirmed that police had resubmitted the docket for further consideration. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu defended the investigation timeline, rejecting claims that it only began after public outcry. 'To say it took six months for SAPS to act is a dangerous exaggeration,' Mchunu previously said. 'The case was investigated as soon as it was reported in October.' On April 1, 2025, Mbalula, during a media briefing at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, condemned the alleged rape of a 7-year-old girl at Bergview College in Matatiele and sharply criticised AfriForum for defending the accused. 'We are outraged and deeply saddened by the brutal violation of a seven-year-old child at Bergview College,' Mbalula said. 'Even more disgraceful is the involvement of organisations like AfriForum, who shield suspects rather than standing for justice.' Mbalula described the alleged perpetrator as 'an animal,' saying, 'It is not a person who can rape a seven-year-old. That's not a human being... it's cannibalism.' Meanwhile, on April 6, during the EFF's Land Reclamation Day event in Johannesburg, Malema accused the principal of being treated differently by law enforcement. 'The principal who raped Cwecwe must know that we are coming for him,' Malema said. 'We call on all victims of that principal to come out. He should not be working with children.' Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade also commented publicly. According to the lobby group, in a March 30 interview on Newzroom Afrika, he said, 'The principal is one of the suspects who should have submitted a long time ago. When he was called for a DNA test, he ran to his lawyers, clearly avoiding the investigation.' Bateman said AfriForum will now seek criminal convictions against those who made the accusations, including politicians. 'If that involves a custodial sentence, going to jail, that would be preferable,' Bateman said. 'Politicians who lie publicly and destroy lives should go to jail.' He confirmed that AfriForum will also assist Pieterse in filing civil lawsuits against Malema, Mbalula, Gade, and former DA MP Phumzile Van Damme, whom Bateman accused of driving a 'disinformation campaign.' 'Allegations were made against our organisation that we were protecting a rapist - which are entirely false,' he said. Though Pieterse remains the official principal of Bergview College, he has not returned to work and remains in a difficult personal situation, Bateman said. 'He has had to leave his home. His family has received threats. His own daughter was contacted on Instagram and threatened with rape if he didn't submit DNA samples,' Bateman said. 'His entire life has been turned upside down.' Bateman said classes at the school have since resumed. He said despite the accusations, Pieterse remains committed to seeing justice served. 'He believes people who make false allegations should face the music,' he said. IOL News
The South African
04-06-2025
- Health
- The South African
Death penalty for ultra-violent crimes against our children?
It's Child Protection Week. Let's talk about the death penalty. Or at least talk about holding an emergency referendum on whether South Africa should reinstate capital punishment for – if nothing else – hardcore violent and violating crimes against our children, including kidnapping and trafficking. Child Protection Week is happening at a time when the world's spotlight is once again upon us (as if we hadn't had enough by now) for all the wrong reasons – including the growing rampant scourge of violence and abuse against children (and women) in this country. In just the past month South Africa has been snowed by a spate of unspeakable violent crimes against women and children, reigniting that ancient, divisive, incendiary argument and public debate on capital punishment. And many by now are asking the big overdue question: Is it time to bring back the death penalty? Here are just a few headlines and cases of violent crimes against children in SA that have surfaced, shocked and enraged the nation – and the world – over the past few weeks alone. Last Thursday, 29 May, the Western Cape High Court sentenced Racquel 'Kelly' Smith and her two co-accused, boyfriend Jacquin 'Boeta' Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn to life imprisonment and ten additional years for kidnapping and trafficking Smith's 6-year-old daughter, Joslin. The sentencing comes after, on 2 May this year, the court found Smith guilty of selling Joslin to a sangoma (traditional healer) for R20,000 who was interested in the child's striking green eyes and fair complexion. (Ponder on that…) Joslin Smith is still missing. Of course, if by now Joslin has been (insert worst-case scenario here) Kelly Smith and her co-accused are complicit and culpable in that too. The country was still reeling from the disappearance and hunt for Joslyn when the case of Cwecwe emerged and enraged the nation. On 14 October 2024, seven-year-old 'Cwecwe' was (initially) reportedly raped at her school, Bergview College, in Matatiele, Eastern Cape, while she was waiting for her transport. Thousands of citizens and dozens of celebrities came out in support of the child. 'Justice for Cwecwe' was trending. Unfortunately, the investigation was bungled when the police authorities falsely accused the principal of the school of the crime – which led to the school being deregistered by the Eastern Cape Department of Education before an investigation was completed. AfriForum advocate Gerrie Nel, who is representing the principal of Bergview College, believed the child was raped at a party, not at the school. What's further enraged the country is the fact that the investigation into Cwecwe's case has been dropped by the National Prosecuting Authority, due to 'lack of evidence'. The NPA's announcement on 17 May that no one will be prosecuted for Cwecwe's case has been met with sharp criticism and protests from activists and the public. On the 13 May, eleven-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek went missing after he failed to return home from school. The child's scholar driver assured the family that Jayden was dropped off at the gates of his complex in Fleurhof, Johannesburg while his mother was working from home. Yet, he never made it inside. The following morning, a resident discovered his lifeless, bruised and partially undressed body on a staircase in the complex, just metres from his home. On Saturday 17 May, a large group of angry residents and community members marched to the Florida police station and handed over a memorandum of demands to officials, calling for justice and greater accountability. SAPS Gauteng has said that its investigation into Jayden-Lee's murder is at an advanced stage, though no arrests have been made. Jayden-Lee Meek was laid to rest at Westpark Cemetery on Saturday 24 May 2025. Last Saturday, 31 May, 14-year-old grade 8 pupil Likhona Fose went missing from her home in Braamfischerville, Johannesburg where she lived with her grandmother. The next day, her mutilated body was discovered by a passerby in the veld at Durban Deep, Roodepoort. Gauteng MEC Matome Chiloane dispatched trauma counsellors to Ikusasalethu, the secondary school Likhona attended. The MEC said police are 'still investigating the circumstances surrounding this brutal incident' and extended sincerest condolences to the family and the school community. On Monday, 2 June, a 50-year-old sangoma and 32-year-old mother appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court facing charges of premeditated murder and human trafficking of the mother's two-year-old baby, Kutlwano Shalaba. 'It is alleged that on 10 November 2024, the mother of the child (Kuneuwe Shalaba) took the child to the sangoma (Sebokoana Khounyana) and requested him to kill her child because she was not happy with the gender of the baby and was tired of hiding it from her family,' according to police. Shalaba reportedly poisoned her child to death, the two then buried her body in a shallow grave in Waterpan. The case against a 29-year-old man accused of raping and impregnating an 11-year-old girl resumed last month on 22 May in the Boksburg Magistrate's Court, drawing renewed attention to a harrowing ordeal that allegedly spanned several years. The young victim, now four months pregnant, was reportedly assaulted by the accused in December of last year. However, court proceedings revealed that the abuse may have started when the girl was just five years old, meaning the alleged crimes persisted for nearly six years before being reported. The accused is known to the victim's family, with the assaults allegedly taking place during visits to his home. DNA tests are yet to determine whether the suspect is indeed the perpetrator. A shocking incident rocked Cape Town last month where a parolee, who served time for rape, has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping and raping a nine-year-old girl in Hanover Park. On 20 May 2025, the child was found in the suspect's house, during a frantic search by the community, where she is believed to have spent at least five hours. The accused is alleged to have lured the girl as she walked to her Madrasa (Islamic school) by offering her R20 to buy him milk and return the item to his house. The suspect was sentenced to 25 years in jail for rape and indecent assault in 2008 but was placed on parole in November 2024. The appalling incident has sparked fury among locals, who are demanding answers from authorities as to why a known predator was allowed back on their streets. Heard enough…? Because, plenty more where that came from. That's just tip of the insidious iceberg, folks. And that's just the kids. In an article in IOL yesterday, 2 June, responding to the murders of Likhona Fose and adult victim Olerato Mongale, Jonisayi Maromo wrote; 'South Africa is a dangerous place for women and girls'. Duh, ya think! He quoted the secretary-general of civil rights group #NotInMyName, Themba Masango, who said: 'The murders of Olerato and Likhona are yet another painful reminder that South Africa remains one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a woman (or child). How many more must die before we collectively say: Enough is enough?' Responding to the conviction of Kelly Smith in an interview with SABC News , Refilwe Mokoena (child safety and protection manager) from the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund said: 'From our perspective, justice has been served, the perpetrators have been held accountable. But children are still so vulnerable in our society and we need further preventative efforts to protect them.' The interviewer then asked: 'Can we really say that justice has been served in this regard when it comes to child safety?' 'A strong message has been sent that crimes against children will not go unpunished. But there are so many incidents similar to Joslin's that don't receive this level of national visibility. For every Joslin, there are millions of others we don't even get to know about,' Mokoena answered. (Did you catch that? She said…'millions'. If she's right, if she's not grossly exaggerating…then we have a BIG fu****? problem, don'tcha think?) 'Children basically are not safe in our country,' Mokoena added. Security analyst Neil de Beer takes a slightly more radical position on how the Smith trial should've ended. In an interview with BizNews TV , former MK agent and security advisor to Nelson Mandela, De Beer (who was also peripherally involved in the police manhunt for Joslin) told journo, Chris Steyn: 'What those people did to that child…if I was a judge I would unequivocally sentence them to hang.' Visibly quivering with rage, De Beer's eyes reddened as he teared and choked up when he said: 'A child. A beautiful little girl…was sold. You took that little girl's life, you should pay for it with your life.' 'But in this country, you don't serve life,' he said. 'In this country, if you murder, you are out in 12. You are out in eight.' 'I'm telling you, if you had a referendum on Monday, to bring back the death penalty, you're going to get an 80% majority.' De Beer's not the only public figure calling for a return to capital punishment. Over the years, leader of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), Gayton McKenzie, has repeatedly called for the return of the death penalty to deal with the high level of violent crime in the country. Back in June 2023, during an interview on The Black Pen podcast, McKenzie said: 'The state must have the right to kill. People argue that the death penalty is not a deterrent. I was a criminal, and I am telling you the death penalty is a deterrent.' He said that having been a gangster, he had learnt that taking out the leader of the gang was enough to stop gang wars. On 17 May this year, McKenzie, who also serves as minister of Sport, Arts and Culture in the Government of National Unity (GNU), reiterated his position on the death penalty during the launch of the PA's municipal election campaign at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Addressing a crowd of thousands of supporters with a fiery, impassioned speech, McKenzie emphasised the need for harsher punishments to combat the rising crime rates in South Africa. 'Let us bring back the death penalty. If you kill, we must kill you,' he said. In an interview with CNN's Larry King in September 2009, Judge Judy Sheindlin was asked about her thoughts on the application of the death penalty. 'In a clear-cut case, where there is no issue as to whether or not, this was the perpetrator of this atrocity…I believe in my soul that it should be an option,' Sheindlin said. Then King asked the judge: 'Could you sentence someone to death?' She paused, before replying: 'Yes, I could. If…there was no question in my mind that this was the perpetrator…' King interjected: 'You could send him to his death?' Sheindlin nodded confidently and said: 'I could say…'Arrivederci' [Italian for 'Goodbye'].' 'There are certain people who – despite our best efforts and all of God's good work – are wired wrong. You gotta either kill 'em or put 'em away…so that they can't ever hurt anyone else,' she added. Must say, when it comes to hardcore violent crimes against our kids? I'm kinda leaning towards De Beer, McKenzie and Judge Judy on this one. Maybe it is time for a long-overdue, urgent, national referendum on capital punishment for violent crimes against minors? Never mind the special task force investigating 'offensive' social media posts and misgendering online, let's get our priorities straight… In my perfect world, the kids would be a sacred and untouchable red line. A world where our women and children could walk down the street, in the middle of the night – bu**-naked if they so choose – and no one will harm them. Because no one would dare. If we can unite the whole nation so easily behind a football or rugby tournament, why can't we unite the country behind this one simple idea: protect the children, at all costs. Whatever threatens the kids…must be eliminated. And maybe reinstating capital punishment is the only way to end the scourge of violence against minors in this country and restore some sense of safety, security and normalcy in our society, where, as Roger Waters once dreamed… 'Everyone has recourse to the law… and no one kills the children anymore.' Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
