The Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, has denied reports that he made any statements about the principal of Bergview College in Matatiele or that his DNA samples had been taken.
Mchunu stated on Sunday to clarify statements doing the rounds on social media.
On the initial report he received regarding the matter, he said the principal could be a suspect.
Mchunu confirmed that DNA samples were taken from three people and urged the public to rely only on official statements issued by SAPS.
Last week, the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature Speaker, Helen Sauls-August, stated that Minister Mchunu had identified the principal as a suspect, further naming him.
Even for journalists, the law does not permit reporters to identify anyone by name, via a photograph, or any other identifying details, even if they are only suspects.
The principal, who approached Afriforum for legal advice, has since had his name and photograph all over social media.
The principal spoke to Netwerk24 this weekend, stating that he had taught in Matatiele since 1999.
Both he and his wife had taken leave and left Matatiele due to violent threats made against them.
Algoa FM News reached out to Lwandile Sicwetsha, the spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature, who said they would not comment on the Minister's denial and that their point was to use legal remedies to compel people to cooperate with investigations.
On Friday, Police said no foreign DNA was found on the seven-year-old girl known in the media as CweCwe, further stating that they had three people of interest who were not yet suspects.
The Minister also noted from the initial report that the matter was complex, having been investigated by three separate officers. First, the officer in Matatiele was transferred to a brigadier at the provincial office before being assigned to the current investigating office.
He assured the public that a dedicated officer was now on the case.
