Child rape, murder case referred to NC High Court
THERE were scenes of jubilation and relief at the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court on January 3 after the ruling that the case of child rape and murder accused Itumeleng Machabe be referred to the Northern Cape High Court for trial from April 17, where he will face 19 charges.
The referral of the case was finalised at the eleventh hour by Galeshewe Magistrate Jerry Tsatsimpe in a tense and packed courtroom, with high police visibility.
The ruling was made after 4pm following a whole day’s delay, which included three recesses, before the matter was finalised at 4.30pm.
Among the 19 charges that Machabe faces are rape, murder, attempted murder, fraud, contravention of the film and publication act, exposing and displaying of pornography to a child, crimen injuria and extortion.
Machabe’s representative, Chwaro Kgotlagomang, failed in his attempt to prevent the case from being referred to the high court, saying that he did not have the indictment in his possession and was therefore not aware of the charges that his client was facing.
Kgotlagomang tried to convince the court that not having the full details of the indictment will make it difficult for him to prepare to defend his client in April.
Concerned members of the community started attending the court case in their numbers after Magistarte Tsatsimpe said on January 31 that the case might be struck off the roll if the NPA was not ready with all three indictments in order for the case to be referred to the high court.
That is after the court agreed that all previously closed cases linked to Machabe be revisited.
On February 3, the case was held up due to delays from the side of the NPA, which had not finalised two of the three indictments during the first part of the day, which resulted in a postponement to 2pm.
Postponing the proceedings did not stop the community members from waiting until the matter was eventually finalised at 4.30pm.
The community’s intention was to put pressure on the court to refrain from striking the case off the roll.
The police had their hands full during the proceedings as the eager community members all tried to gain access to the courtroom, which was packed to capacity.
A police representative requested those inside the courtroom to remain calm until the end of proceedings and then to leave quietly, whatever the outcome of the case was.
The father of the deceased 11-year-old victim, Relebogile Segami, cried profusely throughout.
Kagisho Segami pointed out that the case was dragging and that this was worsening the health condition of his wife, Relebogile’s mother.
Kagisho said his wife had a mental breakdown after the body of their daughter was found in the veld next to the Northern Cape provincial legislature.
He said her condition continued to get worse whenever she heard that there was a court proceeding.
Relieved members of the community chanted outside the court until Machabe was escorted out of the court precinct.
They cheered the investigating officer and the State prosecutor for a job well done.
