ANC councillor at the City of Matlosana Local Municipality in the North West, Tebogo Sepale who is facing 11 charges including two of statutory rape failed to appear before the Orkney Magistrates Court on Monday.
Law enforcement authorities in the North West were unable to explain reasons for their failure to present Sepale in court for his bail application.
Sepale was arrested in May after videos surfaced of him engaging in sexual acts with various people including some perceived to be minors. He is facing charges of statutory rape, manufacturing of pornography as well as sexual intimidation. His lawyer Kobus Burger was just as surprised about Sepale’s no-show in court.
“The situation was that my client was not brought to court by the police. No reasons were advanced as to why he was not brought to court and the matter was postponed in his absence, that is not supposed to happen,” He said.
National Prosecuting Authority’s Regional Spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the state intends to oppose his bail application. “The state is awaiting the conclusion of investigations to possibly add more charges against the accused,” he said.
According to police regports the Klerksdorp Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, is investigating a case of crimen injuria and two separate counts of statutory rape, after they were reported at Kanana police station, respectively.
Two counts of statutory rape were also reported on 6 May 2023, by the parents of two boys aged 15 and 17. Sepale’s bail application has been postponed to July 17.
