Barry Bateman engagement report

Best tweets

• Jun 8, 2026312x their median

  🚨 NEW: A man has been arrested after an attempted beheading of another man in north Belfast tonight https://t.co/CFQirpQDwL

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• Feb 24, 202567x their median

  We’re helping a client open a fraud case. The @SAPoliceService Douglasdale constable refuses to accept the typed and printed affidavit. She will only register the case if she makes her own handwritten copy “in my own words” of the statement. You can’t make this up. These are the “boots on the ground” you keep being told will bring an end to crime. Every day we see witnesses picked apart by defence counsel because of the poor quality statements SAPS officers write. They’re barely legible. We have a properly prepared statement but our finest wants to re-write it in her own words. To add, our client has annexed comprehensive evidence to support the allegation, but SAPS won’t register the case unless the original bank statements are supplied. In other words, SAPS Douglasdale won’t accept a criminal complaint unless the victim conducts their own investigation… These are documents the IO will in any event need to subpoena from the banks. The system is broken. The police will do everything possible to not open cases.

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• Sep 18, 202639x their median

  PSC Chair Prof. Somadoda Fikeni testified that the "political economy of inefficiency" involves a deliberate facade of implementation. He cited the Border Management Authority receiving only 4 drones instead of the requested 80, while billions in funds remain unused in other departments. #MadlangaCommission https://t.co/QQakyTMTJ6

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• Sep 15, 202629x their median

  BREAKING NEWS: The Brakpan Magistrate’s Court has denied bail to suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi and his five co-accused in connection with the 2022 murder of businessman Emmanuel Mbense. For more, visit https://t.co/N9V5BF4stZ https://t.co/qzkqONeFkC

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• Sep 27, 202628x their median

  [WATCH] Community members in Carletonville, where 17 people were killed at a tavern, say these incidents are not isolated. They allege that community members are also regularly attacked in their homes. @sholwana_z has more https://t.co/Abx0fCTFzr

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• Aug 9, 202616x their median

  MEDIA STATEMENT: Julius Malema to face criminal prosecution for falsely accusing Bergview principal of rape Julius Malema, leader of the EFF, will face criminal prosecution after falsely accusing a school principal of rape. AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit has succeeded in convincing the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) that Malema should be prosecuted for crimen injuria after branding Jaco Pieterse, former Principal of Bergview College in Matatiele, a serial child rapist. With the support of the unit, Pieterse laid the criminal complaint at the Sophiatown Police Station in June last year. When a decision to prosecute Malema was not forthcoming, the unit made the representation to the NPA. Similar criminal complaints were also lodged against Fikile Mbalula, Secretary-General of the ANC, and Fundile Gade, MEC for Education in the Eastern Cape, for making the same false allegation. The complaint against Malema stems from statements he made on 6 April 2025 at the party’s Land Reclamation Day at the Sophiatown Extreme Park in Johannesburg. At this event, Malema publicly claimed that a school principal raped a seven-year-old girl and alleged that the principal was being treated differently from other suspects. Malema also suggested that the principal may have committed similar offences in the past. The case involves a child who, according to her mother’s allegations, was raped at Bergview College in October 2024. Pieterse and the school caretaker – whom the unit also represents – became the targets of a vicious social media campaign in November of that year after the NPA declined to prosecute the case due to a lack of evidence. In May of last year, the NPA confirmed that it had decided not to prosecute anyone in connection with the alleged rape because, according to the NPA’s spokesperson, “there is no evidence of rape or sexual assault after the minor girl was interviewed and examined by medical practitioners and forensic social workers.” In the representations to the NPA on 18 June 2026, Advocate Gerrie Nel, Head of the unit, referred to Malema’s own approaches to the courts after he was publicly branded a drug dealer. “Malema, in his own words, has demonstrated a full appreciation of the profound impact false allegations of criminal impropriety have on the dignity of a person – because he has experienced it himself and has asked the courts to intervene. Malema understands that being falsely branded a criminal violates the fundamental human right to dignity and argues that such a right is worthy of protection,” said Nel. Nel argued that Malema also took swift steps to protect his dignity when a so-called celebrity-blogger publicly claimed that the politician and his wife were experiencing marital strife and were on the verge of divorce. “Malema’s lawyers said the claims subjected his children to ‘emotional harm and public scrutiny’, adding that Malema has been exposed to ‘ridicule, speculation, humiliation and reputational harm on a mass scale.’ The court agreed with Malema and ordered the blogger to apologise and retract the statements. “In this matter when Malema served a letter of demand on (the blogger), he also threatened to file a criminal complaint of crimen injuria with the South African Police Service (SAPS). Thus, well-informed of his right to dignity and privacy, he, without cause and on a public platform, called Pieterse a ‘rapist’,” concluded Nel. After hearing news of the NPA’s decision, Pieterse said it has lifted a huge weight off his shoulders and takes him another step closer to justice. “The false allegations have not only harmed me but have also caused immense pain to my family and friends. I trust that this process will vindicate me and ensure there is accountability for those who falsely accused others of committing vile crimes without any regard for the consequences. I hope the courts send a strong message that there are consequences for making such reckless and damaging allegations. I’ve become aware of many others who have experienced, and still experience daily, similar pain because of the thoughtless behaviour of so-called leaders. My hope is that this case will help protect ordinary citizens against politicians and people in power and hold them accountable,” said Pieterse. The instruction has been given to the Chief Prosecutor at the Johannesburg Magistrates Court to initiate prosecutions against Malema. It is not yet known when the matter will be enrolled. While the private prosecution unit is satisfied with the decision to prosecute Malema, it will continue its engagements with the NPA to ensure that both Mbalula and Gade are also prosecuted. The unit remains steadfast in its belief that no person should be shielded from prosecution because of their political connections or status in society.

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• May 25, 202611x their median

  It is deeply disturbing that SAPS has apparently not been approached to open a criminal case, and that the GDE appears content to expose learners, teachers and staff to the risk of deadly firearm violence. On the information available, there is evidence of the following: - Voicenote threats to commit a “school shooting” and to “blow this place up”. - Threats to murder a specific teacher. (He pleaded guilty to making the threats) - Text messages suggesting attempts to procure a firearm. - Video footage showing access to a firearm. - Footage of the 16yo recklessly using a firearm. - Footage of the 16yo negligently handling a firearm. - A history of substance abuse. - Previous disregard for probationary or suspended sanctions. This is not merely a school disciplinary matter. It is a potential criminal case that demands urgent police intervention. Why would the SGB and the GDE not immediately approach the authorities? There is a credible threat of a school shooting and can’t be treated as school misconduct. Remember this case the next time the GDE responds to a deadly school incident and tells the public that they take school safety seriously. https://t.co/KFrEAlxABM

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• Aug 9, 20269.9x their median

  Julius Malema to be prosecuted for his false statements about former Bergview school principal. AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit’s representations to the NPA succeeded. We said there’d be consequences for the way Pieterse was treated. https://t.co/RSY15coE9b

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• Sep 18, 20267.7x their median

  MEDIA STATEMENT: NPA to cough up yet again following another successful AfriForum private prosecution AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit has secured another costs order compelling the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to cover the costs of successfully privately prosecuting a case, this time a rapist. The KwaNojoli Magistrates’ Court granted the order on Monday, 14 September, the same day it dismissed Isaac Andile Memese’s application to appeal against his conviction and 20-year prison sentence for the 2017 rape of Celeste Gouws, who has consented to being identified. Memese was convicted and sentenced on 5 March this year. On the night of 2 September 2017, Memese consumed alcohol with Gouws and her friend until she was severely intoxicated. Earlier in the evening, she had called that friend to the house because she suspected Memese was making unwanted sexual advances. The friend put Gouws to bed and left the property with Memese, but the rapist returned a short while later to find the severely intoxicated Gouws, and sexually violated her. The case has a lengthy and protracted history. The NPA issued the nolle prosecui certificate on 30 July, 2020; the trial began on 13 July, 2021, with the accused pleading not guilty; the private prosecutor closed its case on 23 February, 2022; the defence closed its case on 20 April, 2023; the parties presented closing arguments on 12 July, 2024; and judgement was set to be delivered on 26 November, 2024, but after several postponements was eventually delivered on 5 March this year. Between all these dates were numerous other court appearances for postponements that nevertheless required the Private Prosecution Unit’s team’s attendance, and the need to make the 800km journey from Gauteng to the Eastern Cape. All of these expenses, including the costs of Advocates Gerrie Nel and Phyllis Vorster, will be factored in when submitting the invoice to the NPA. In terms of Section 15(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act, the court may order the NPA and accused to pay the private prosecutor’s costs and expenses if private prosecution is initiated after the state declines to prosecute and the accused is convicted. This is the third such costs order secured by the Private Prosecution Unit. In May 2025, the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court awarded costs to the unit after dismissing Alexi Bizos’ application for leave to appeal his conviction for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm against his ex-wife, Monique van Oosterhout.  In March last year, the Mamelodi Magistrates’ Court ordered the NPA to cover the costs of privately prosecuting Irvin Thabo Ngobeni, who was convicted of assaulting his female neighbour, Nthabiseng Sebothoma. Barry Bateman, spokesperson for the Private Prosecution Unit, says the decision once again highlights the critical role civil society plays in filling the gaps left by state institutions when they fail victims of crime. “Private prosecutions are expensive and beyond the reach of most victims of crime. The Private Prosecution Unit therefore owes a debt of gratitude to the thousands of AfriForum members whose generosity enables us to continue fighting for victims, particularly victims of gender-based violence. This costs order comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of the state’s failure to protect the most vulnerable in society. For as long as the police and the NPA fail women, the Private Prosecution Unit will continue to stand up for them,” said Bateman.

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• Jun 26, 20266.1x their median

  MEDIA STATEMENT: Serious questions after Hawks promote Madlanga witness facing criminal investigation In what appears to be yet another example of the authorities paying lip service to their commitment to rooting out corruption, Hawks Tactical Operations Head Brigadier Lesiba Mokoena, who gave evidence before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, has been promoted despite being under criminal investigation, and despite serious questions raised about his integrity under oath and filed in a case docket. He is accused of making fraudulent entries in a register to unlawfully claim overtime. The alleged conduct was reported by a subordinate 18 months ago, yet the Hawks’ anti-corruption section says the “investigation is continuing and statements must still be obtained”. The complainant, a warrant officer, approached AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit in November last year after Hawks management failed to investigate and act on the complaint. During his testimony before the Madlanga Commission in October last year, Mokoena was a brigadier, a rank above colonel, which was his rank when the complaint was filed in November 2024. Advocate Gerrie Nel, head of the Unit, says this failure to act stands in stark contrast to the speed with which action is often taken against people mentioned at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. “Although we criticise the appointment of commissions of inquiry to substitute police investigations, we have noted the sudden apparent efficiency of the SAPS in investigating certain matters “On this very aspect of investigating your own, we find it extraordinarily peculiar that a simple and uncomplicated allegation of misrepresentation relating to ‘overtime’ by a senior member of SAPS has, since 2024, resulted in your office repeatedly reporting ‘progress’ as part of an ongoing investigation. We must accept that your office has the necessary skills to deal with such matters,” said Nel. At the Madlanga Commission, Mokoena was accused of playing a significant role in efforts by the Hawks to disrupt the Political Killings Task Team’s arrest of Katiso Molefe on 6 December 2024. The commission criticised him for being evasive and inconsistent about his role in the incident. Meanwhile, since the fraud complaint was filed in November 2024, Hawks management has told the complainant that the matter remains under investigation, prompting the complainant to approach the Private Prosecution Unit in December last year. Barry Bateman, spokesperson for the unit, says the Hawks’ conduct in the case against Mokoena has exposed selective investigation. “While the Madlanga Commission has prompted public claims of a renewed commitment to accountability within the SAPS, developments behind the scenes suggest this is merely window dressing in response to the embarrassment of the revelations broadcast live almost every day for the past nine months. But what concerns the Private Prosecution Unit is the selective way law enforcement exercises its authority, and how this appears to be swayed by political expediency rather than a genuine commitment to addressing malfeasance within the ranks. This office was established to address selective prosecution and will apply pressure on the Hawks to conclude its investigation so that prosecution can follow if the State does not have the appetite to do so,” said Bateman. The Unit has asked the Hawks to provide a meaningful response to questions about the status of the investigation and an explanation for the inexplicable delay in finalising the matter.

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