Case against NW rape-accused councillor postponed

KLERKSDORP – The provincial prosecuting authority’s Henry Mamothame said the reasons for the councillor’s failure to appear in court are unknown. The 43-year-old politician from Matlosana Local Municipality in Klerksdorp faces 11 provincial charges; two for statutory rape, three for violating a child without consent, one for manufacturing pornographic material, four for rape, and one for sexual intimidation.
“In one of the cases, the suspect allegedly shared a nude picture of his private parts with the complainant. In the second and separate case, but 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,” Mamothame said. Sepale’s lawyer appeared on his behalf in the Orkney Magistrates Court on Monday, where he indicated that his client intends to apply for bail.
“The state intends to oppose his bail application. The state is awaiting the conclusion of investigations to possibly add more charges against the accused,” Mamothame added. The accused will remain in custody until his next court appearance in July.