Picture: The ANC Ward 25 councillor, Tebogo Sepale accused of having sex with underage boys
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Economic Freedom Fighters(EFF) in North West said it welcomed the arrest of the disgraced African National Congress (ANC) ward councillor in the City of Matlosana, Tebogo Sepale.
Sepale (40), who is facing two counts of statutory rape and crimea injuria was allegedly seen having sex with an underage boy in a video that was circulated across social media platforms.
The EFF provincial secretary, Papiki Babuile said, it is clear that the ANC leaders, namely Sibusiso Kula and Tebogo Sepale in Ward 25 in Kanana Township, near Orkney, are rotten to the core. Babuile further said, quite evidently, the weight given to this case by the circulating videos and
penetrating testimonies give a vital context of the serious credibility crisis and critical leadership chaos they are subjected to as the province and the country at large under the ANC-led government.
“Undoubtedly, it is too late for the ANC and its government to walk on the path of self-correcting. This difficult time represents the golden opportunity to liberate the community of Ward 25, which has fallen into the bottom of the abyss.
“This kind of heinous acts of sexual harassment and crimen injuria is highly unacceptable and warrants a decisive rejection of the ANC government by the people. We welcome the arrest because it corroborates our contention that ANC leaders should not be in a constitutional and statutory free zone,” he said.
Babuile added that, for this reason, they are not supposed to act in breach of the constitutional and statutory obligations with impunity. He said it is worth noting that the EFF will dispatch the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Desk to support the victims, their families and the grieving community of Kanana at large.
“We will be initiating and/or supporting any form of campaign aimed at discouraging this form of nefarious acts. We will restore the moral fabric espoused in the constitution by any means necessary and have prepared the ground for a dependable leadership,” he said.
The African Independent National Congress (AINC) interim national chairperson, Kau Karabo said: “On 3 May 2023, the AINC received an outcry of sexual harassment of two community members committed by an ANC councillor.
“It is worth noting that, the two victims whose names are not to be disclosed for now, were refused assistance on three occasions by the police in Kanana, indicating to them that sexual harassment as an offence does not fall within their jurisdiction.”
Kau said they proceeded to the victims and thus took it upon themselves to approach the police station to assist them in opening cases without any hindrance as they were previously denied an opportunity to complete A1 statement known as the complainant statement. He said the statements of the two victims were eventually taken.
“The organisation was later informed that cases opened were never registered, to which after countless demands made by AINC, one of the victims received a case number.
“The conduct of the station commander leaves much to be desired. The station commander has failed the community in general. Community members are victimised without protection and refused assistance by officials at the police station,” he said.
Kau said to them, the manner in which the matter is handled by the law enforcement agencies remains disturbing and will be attended to with the urgency it deserves. He said as AINC, they are aware of the meaningless statement issued by the ANC failing to take the community of Kanana Township, near Orkney into confidence by expelling Sepale who has become a lethal object harmful to those who entrusted him the authority to execute on their behalf.
“The ANC pronounced its position regarding the matter, which is that of taking Sepale to an internal disciplinary hearing overlooking the fact that the same ward councillor has brought nothing but terror to the community at large.
“The approach of the ANC is a clear indication that they care less about the community but would do anything possible to protect the councillor at all costs. The speaker of Matlosana Local Municipality as the custodian of policies and an extended arm of parliament has failed to act in the interest of the community, but chooses to protect an individual,” said Kau.
He said to this date, Sepale is still a member in good standing without any pronouncement from the Office of the Speaker. Kau said the speaker of the municipality and the ANC always declared to stand on the side of the victims to which they ask themselves, which victims are they standing with when it is apparent that Sepale is protected by them.
“Who do they stand with when no action equivalent to the conduct of the councillor has been taken by them when victims never received comfort nor assistance from them?
“It is clear that the Office of the Speaker and the spineless ANC choose battles to advance their narrow and selfish interests, they support those close to them and fail to protect others when in need,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “The Klerksdorp Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit is investigating a case of crimen injuria and two separate counts of statutory rape. The cases were registered at Kanana Police Station respectively.
“In the crimen injuria case which was registered on Friday afternoon, 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 rapes were laid on Saturday evening by the parents of two boys, both aged 15.”
Mokgwabone said the investigation into the incidents continues and they are unaware of allegations that the police refused to assist the complainant in the crimen injuria case. He said they request those who are making allegations to lodge a formal complaint for investigation.
“The suspect has been arrested in connection with the two counts of statutory rape and is expected to appear before the court soon,” he said.
The Guardian 