After AfriForum decided to represent an Eastern Cape principal, ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula slammed the organization. In the horrific rape of a seven-year-old student in October, which has not been solved, the principal is allegedly one of the suspects. Mbalula slams AfriForum Mbalula spoke to the media on Tuesday and said that AfriForum was protecting the victim rather than "shielding" suspects.

Mbalula exclaimed, "We are outraged and deeply saddened by the brutal violation of a child of seven years old in Matatiele." Mbalula went on to say that the crime exemplified the widespread problem of gender-based violence in South Africa: “The fact that predators continue to seek refuge in institutions designed to safeguard children is a moral offense against our society. More disgraceful is the involvement of organisations like AfriForum, who shield suspects rather than stand for justice.” Mbalula insists that in a terrible incident, only ubuntu—unity and humanity—should exist, not race or politics. Protests are sparked by the incident's outrage.

Thousands of South Africans, including members of the EFF and the MK Party, have gathered to demand that the victim receive justice. In response to the outcry, the police reassured the public that the case is still under investigation. Mbalula has praised the group's unity in the face of the incident, adding that: “Enough is enough; we will not rest until every woman and child in South Africa is safe from such despicable acts. We are overjoyed that black and white South Africans came together to condemn this act. The country's laws and constitution have been strengthened. You are not eligible for bail if you are arrested for rape. The law must grind these animals. They must be dealt with severely under the law. A seven-year-old child is an animal and cannot be raped by a normal person.

After that, AfriForum goes to defend such individuals, which is more than just cannibalism. Mbalula went on. AfriForum denies sinister motives for involvement In the meantime, Barry Bateman, the spokesperson for AfriForum, has categorically denied the claims that the group intends to defend the criminal suspect. According to Bateman, the principal is not a suspect in the rape case involving one of his students and has never been considered a suspect by authorities: The unit is aware that he did not communicate with the victim prior to the crime and that there is no evidence that the crime occurred on school grounds. Bateman elaborated.