Image created by AI
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa has mandated a comprehensive re-examination of the child pornography case involving University of Cape Town (UCT) law professor Pierre de Vos. This decision follows critical intervention by AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit, which highlighted several inadequacies in the prior police investigation.
In November, the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions in the Eastern Cape, Advocate Indra Goberdan, instructed the South African Police Service (SAPS) to gather essential evidence that was previously overlooked, including cellphone and social media records of De Vos, and statements from various individuals linked to the case. This order aims to rectify the investigative lapses and ensure a thorough review of the allegations.
The case ignited controversy in September 2022 when a disturbing video was posted on De Vos's then-Twitter (now X) account, displaying sexual abuse of a minor. Although the post was quickly deleted, the damage was done. De Vos claimed his account was hacked and filed a police report to assert his innocence. Simultaneously, the complainant, affiliated with AfriForum Youth, lodged a case against De Vos based on the contraventions of the Films and Publications Act.
AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit, scrutinizing the police docket obtained through a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) request, revealed it contained merely two statements with one being unsigned by De Vos. Critical digital evidence and expert analyses were notably absent, spurring the NPA to admit the initial decision not to prosecute might have been hasty and flawed.
Barry Bateman, spokesperson for the Private Prosecution Unit, criticized the original investigation for its superficial approach and failure to recognize the gravity of the offences pertaining to child exploitation and society's protection.
The case's reopening underpins a greater societal push towards rigorous investigations and accountability, especially pertaining to crimes involving children. The investigation outcomes are awaited as the SAPS complies with the new directives to fulfill the evidence requisition thereby ensuring every aspect of the case is judiciously examined.