The Orkney Magistrates has today 17 May 2023 postponed the case against Ward 25 ANC Councillor in the City of Matlosana Local Municipality Tebogo Sepale to 26 June 2023 for further investigation and possible bail application.Sepale appointed private attorney to represent him in the matter and the state is willing to oppose his bail application. The state is also awaiting further details on the investigation to possibly add more charges against the accused.
Sepale is facing eleven provisional charges ,two for statutory rape,three for the violation of a child with with consent, one for manufacturing pornographic material ,four for rape and one for sexual intimidation.
Sepale’s Attorney Kobus Burgur,said he was only contacted yesterday the 16th of May 2023 by Sepale’s Mother to come and Represent him.”I’ve received instructions yesterday from the accused Mother to represent him,at this stage it’s uncertain what exactly against him will be as I still need to consult with him properly before we do bail application for him later in June.”he said.
Tebogo Sepale who is also said to be a Pastor and a Prophet at his church, appeared before the Orkney Magistrates court after a report that was filed by the police indicating that the Klerksdorp Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual OFFENCES Unit,was investigating a case of crimen injuria and two separate counts of statutory rape, that were reported at Kanana Police Station respectively. In one of the cases the accused allegedly shared one of his nude pictures with the complaint, in the second and separate case involving the same suspect, two counts of statutory rape were laid on Saturday 6 May 2023,by the parents of two boys aged 15 and 17 .
Different political parties that include Forum for SERVICE Delivery (F4SD) Economic Freedom Fighters that was led by the National Deputy Secretary General Poppy Mailola,African Independent National Congress (AINC) as well as the Active African Christian United Movement including the community at large were also seen picketing outside the Orkney Magistrates Court demanding that Tebogo Sepale should not be given bail.Most of this political representatives say they want justice to be done for all his victims. They also appeal to ANC to expel Sepale as they feel suspension is not enough .
The EFF’S deputy Secretary General Poppy Mailola said the case must be prioritised by the justice system and they do not want to see any delay on this case.”We are aware that anything that has do with ANC has corruption in it and rapists in it because this is not the first time we are here as the organisation.We were here previously on the case of another ANC member Sibusiso Kula who is faced with murder case. It looks like ANC is does not want to do anything, they are not doing anything, that’s why this things are always happening in their ranks.”She said.
Mateboho Mosiako who is F4SD Councillor and party’s Chiefwhip in the City of Matlosana Local Municipality said they are so disappointed in in what has happened more especially what is done by Councillor Sepale. “This is so disappointing because the Councillor is expected to lead by example as a leader in the community.We are even urging ANC that they must go back to the drawing board and try to choose Councillors the proper way because this is not the first, otherwise we will have many other Councillors that will do exactly what this one has done.”She said.
Evodia Mathebula from Active African Christian United Movement said they came to Orkney Magistrates court to say NO to Gender Based Violence because the accused Tebogo Sepale is calling himself Pastor and a leader but as AACUM they don’t see leadership in him.
The public is urged to stop circulating sexual content of any form through all mediums as they may compromise victims their families ,as well as the investigations into the matter.
