An application by rape and murder accused Itumeleng Machebe to have the matter against him struck off the roll was dismissed in the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court.
AN APPLICATION by rape and murder accused Itumeleng Machebe to have the matter against him struck off the roll was dismissed in the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court on January 6.
Machebe was charged with the rape and murder of 11-year-old Relebogile Segami, whose body was found in the veld behind the Northern Cape provincial legislature in March last year.
He was also charged with the rape of a 15-year-old girl.
Machebe’s legal representative, Chwaro Kgotlagomang, argued that there have been numerous delays in the investigation that have prejudiced his client, including finalising the charges, serving of the indictment and intentions of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to amalgamate five other dockets to the main charge.
He indicated that while he would await further instructions from his client, he would not appeal the court’s decision at this stage.
“The magistrate found that the delays were not unreasonable and that the DPP should not be blamed for delays in wanting to incorporate the other five dockets. The court believed that since all the cases involve minors, it would be in the best interests of the child that the accused remain in custody.”
The matter was postponed until January 31 for the DPP to make a decision on whether the matter should be transferred to the Northern Cape High Court.
A large group of community members, who had gathered outside the court building, were relieved that the application was denied.
“There would be chaos and he would have been burnt alive if he was released. Our children will not be safe if he is allowed back onto the streets. A precedent must be set to prevent innocent young girls from being raped and killed in our communities. We want the matter to be transferred to the Northern Cape High Court because of the serious nature of the crimes that were committed. We want justice for Relebogile and all the other girls who were raped.”
