North West ANC councillor in the Matlosana local municipality, Tebogo Sepale, is set to appear before the Orkney magistrate’s court for bail application on November 1.
The 43-year-old was arrested in May this year after a video of him allegedly performing sexual acts with a minor trended on social media.
The councillor abandoned his bail application in July. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the suspect had previously registered an intention to apply for bail following consultations with his attorney.
Regional NPA spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the state was ready to propose a date for the matter to be transferred to a higher court for pre-trial conferencing.
He said: “Investigations had been wrapped up. The transfer will now await the completion of the bail application, which the state intends opposing.”
A police report indicates that the Klerksdorp Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, were investigating a case of crimen injuria, and two separate counts of statutory rape, after the matter was reported at Kanana police station.
Sepale faces 11 charges in total. Two for statutory rape, three for violating a child without consent, one of manufacturing pornographic material, four of rape and one of sexual intimidation.
“In one of the cases, the suspect allegedly shared nude pictures with the complainant. In the second case, but involving the same suspect, two counts of statutory rape were laid on May 6 by the parents of the two boys, aged 15 and 17,” Mamothame said.
According to Mamothame, the state is expected to add additional charges when the case is moved over to the higher court.
Mamothame said that Sepale will remain in police custody pending the outcome of his bail application.
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