The Orkney Magistrate’s Court has postponed the case against Ward 25 ANC Councillor Tebogo Sepale (43), in the City of Matlosana Local Municipality, to August 24, 2023, for further investigations.
Sepale made a brief court appearance on Friday, July 7, where he abandoned his bail application.
When speaking to Mo-Media outside the Orkney Magistrates Court, his attorney, Kobus Burger, said they had decided to abandon the bail application for now.
"After consultations with my client (Sepale), we abandoned the bail application. We can bring it up later, and I cannot divulge the reasons; it is a privilege between myself and my client," he said.
Sepale is facing 11 provisional charges: two for statutory rape, three for the violation of a child's consent, one for manufacturing pornographic material, four for rape, and one for sexual intimidation.
Different organisations and political parties expressed their views on Sepale’s decision to abandon his bail application.
The decision surprised Mateboho Mosiako, an F4SD Councillor in the City of Matlosana Local Municipality.
"I'm surprised by his decision because I looked forward to him fighting for the bail application. With his decision today, he might be aware of what is happening outside; people are angry and not happy.
If it's him abandoning the bail, there must be a reason behind it, but we are here still saying, ‘Let there be justice for our communities who are the victims in this matter’," she said.
The Learners Command Secretary General, Luthando Dada, said they are mum about the accused's decision (to abandon bail).
“We are mum on the issue that Sepale has abandoned bail. Such a character cannot live amongst our society, and he deserves to be on Robben Island and not in our Correctional Centres meant to correct the behaviours of those who might have broken the law.
“He is incorruptible and has proven to us that he is an animal, as evidenced by the fact that he came to court today smiling while making his way to the dock without showing any (signs of) remorse,” stated Dada.
The President of the African Independent National Congress (AINC), Ntsetsi Nyamane, said they are happy about the decision made by the accused.
"As the organization, we are delighted because it means Sepale has realized that he belongs in jail, and we hope that even on his next court appearance, he will not try to request bail again.
We hope that the state will try to find many reasons to lock him up so that we don't have him back on the streets because he belongs in prison," said Nyamane.
The accused's court appearance emanates from a report by the police indicating that the Klerksdorp Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) was investigating a case of crimen injuria and two separate counts of statutory rape against Sepala after they were reported at Kanana police station, respectively.
In one of the cases, the accused allegedly shared nude pictures with a complainant; and in a second, separate case, involving the same suspect. Two statutory rape cases were laid against Sepala on May 6, 2023, by the parents of two boys aged 15 and 17,respectively.
The accused will remain in police custody in Potchefstroom until his next court appearance in August. The public has been urged to refrain from circulating any sexual content of any form through all mediums as it may compromise the victims and their families, as well as investigations into the matter.
