The man accused of raping and murdering 11-year-old Relebogile Segami was denied bail by the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court.
THE MAN accused of raping and murdering 11-year-old Relebogile Segami was denied bail by the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court.
Magistrate Leon Blaauw said on Monday that the State has a strong case against the accused, Itumeleng Machabe, who failed to present exceptional reasons to the court as to why he should be granted bail.
Machabe will remain in custody until his next court appearance on December 1.
It is expected that a decision will be made at the next court appearance on whether the case will be transferred to the Northern Cape High Court.
Machabe’s bail application started on October 13. He was represented by advocate Marcus Mafaro. The State, including the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Bonolo Masao, opposed bail.
Magistrate Blaauw said that granting Machabe bail would not be in the best interest of the public due to him having been out on bail for another schedule 6 offence at the time of Relebogile’s rape and murder.
Blaauw added that there was a possibility that Machabe’s life, as well as the lives of members of the public, could be in danger if bail was granted.
He also noted the fact that there were four other rape cases involving minors that were opened against Machabe but were later withdrawn by the parents of the victims.
The State proposed that the previous cases be revisited.
Blaauw said there were no exceptional personal circumstances that could persuade the court to grant Machabe bail.
“In his affidavit, the accused did mention that he is working for his father but he did not elaborate on how much he earns or how or whether he will be under any pressure if he will be denied bail. He also mentioned that he has a five-year-old child but does not mention if he is the primary caregiver of the child. No reasons stated on his affidavit prevent the court from keeping him in custody until his next appearance,” said Blaauw.
The magistrate expressed disappointment in the manner in which DNA tests and results were handled, including the delays experienced.
He hoped that the State would work hard and the investigations would be completed.
A community representative, Herbert Miller, who was among the jubilant community members gathered outside the court building, said they are happy about the outcome.
The community’s plea for bail to be denied had become more intense after the bail application started and tyres were set alight outside the court building.
Police visibility also increased inside and outside the court building during the proceedings.
The bail ruling was set to take place on Friday, October 28, but was postponed to Monday due to Machabe’s legal representative having other commitments.
While the court was in progress on Friday, the police had their hands full as community members chanted outside and attempted to burn tyres.
“The only thing that we must now prepare ourselves for, is for the trial to start after referral to the regional or the high court,” said Miller after bail was denied. “We hope that the accused will be labelled as a serial rapist because that is how we see him. It is not a coincidence that six cases of the same nature can be opened against one person. He must get life.”
The regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mojalefa Senokoatsane, said it is in the best interest of justice that Machabe be remanded in custody until the conclusion of the matter.
“Whether he is taken through the high court or regional court, it does not matter. As long as justice is served, that is what’s important to us,” added Senokoatsane.
