Murder and child rape accused Itumeleng Machabe appeared in the Northern Cape High Court.
MURDER and child rape accused Itumeleng Machabe appeared in the Northern Cape High Court on April 17.
The matter was transferred from the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court.
Machabe was charged with the rape and murder of 11-year-old Relebogile Segami, who was reported missing on March 30, 2022.
Her body was found dumped behind the Northern Cape provincial legislature the following day.
Machabe was also charged with the rape of a 15-year-old girl.
Judge Violet Phatsoane postponed the matter until May 11 for a pre-trial conference.
Machabe will remain in custody.
Community activist Herbert Miller, who attended the proceedings, said the #Justice 4 all GBVF movement was formed to advocate for justice for Relebogile as well as to support all victims of gender-based violence, femicide and sexual assault.
“We are supporting specifically young children who get lost in the system after falling prey to sexual and violent crimes,” said Miller.
“There are serial killers and rapists walking amongst us, while little support and ongoing counselling are offered to the survivors. Many complainants are afraid to report crimes of this nature. There are accused persons who are released after being charged with serious crimes. For example, charges against Dr Ilunga Kalasa, who was charged with the rapes of a 17-year-old and a 25-year-old patient, were struck off the roll and he might have left the country.”
Miller added that the organisation would attend all court proceedings in support of Relebogile’s family.
“If convicted, Machabe must be sentenced to at least 50 years imprisonment without the option of parole.”
ActionSA provincial chairperson Andrew Louw, who also attended Machabe’s court appearance on Monday, expressed disappointment with the many postponements in the case.
“Nevertheless, we are pleased that the justice system has taken one step further in finding justice for this young girl and her family,” said Louw.
