The man who was charged with the rape and murder of 11-year-old Relebogile Segami has abandoned his bail application.
24-YEAR-old accused Itumeleng Machabe, who was charged with the rape and murder of 11-year-old Relebogile Segami, has decided to abandon his bail application.
The case against Machabe was postponed to April 25 following his appearance in the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
The court said that a separate rape case against Machabe will be joined to the current rape and murder case.
Machabe is accused of raping a 15-year-old girl. He was out on bail for that matter when Relebogile was raped and murdered.
The court added that it is awaiting the post-mortem as well as DNA results that are currently outstanding.
Outside the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court yesterday, community members celebrated when they were informed by EFF Member of Parliament Mathepola Siwisa that the accused will remain in custody.
A large number of outraged community members had gathered outside the gates of the court as they were not permitted entry due to the large number of attendees.
Relebogile’s naked body was found dumped in the veld behind the Northern Cape provincial legislature building on March 31.
The community members cheered and banged on the van that transported the accused on Wednesday. They said that he had made a wise decision to opt to remain behind bars.
“We would have hunted him down like the animal he is. We will not allow such a disgusting animal back into our community. Whose child is he setting out to kill if the court granted him bail? We cannot let our children live in fear,” they shouted.
Siwisa said that she is elated that the accused was denied bail.
“The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) opposed bail from the start. We are glad that he (the accused) will remain in jail and that the other rape case will be added. That will make the case and his conviction stronger. The accused must get a very lengthy imprisonment,” said Siwisa.
“This is not the first reported incident against the accused. If we get justice for this matter, we would have gotten justice for the other cases. Even those victims who have not come forward to report their case will get justice.
“Relebogile’s parents and siblings have been suffering heavily. The siblings of Relebogile are currently not attending school due to the trauma they experienced with the murder of their sister. Their mother is currently admitted to a psychiatric hospital because of this incident.
“It is heartbreaking that a mother has been away from her children because she needs to process the death of one of her children.
“We are currently also looking at ways to get the children and the father therapy following the incident as they are all struggling,” Siwisa added.
Relebogile’s father, Kagisho Segami, said his children are currently staying with his mother.
“My children are now afraid of staying and sleeping at our house following the incident with Relebogile. My youngest child is nine years old and my eldest child is 13 years old. Both my children are mourning the death of their sister. They have not been attending school as they cannot concentrate,” he said.
“This incident has taken over our lives and brought a lot of indescribable pain. We are not certain how we will heal or ever come to terms with this incident.”
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