Staff Reporter.
Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West has welcomed the landmark three-year jail sentence handed down yesterday by the Schweizer-Reneke Regional Court to former ANC Member of Parliament, Mapule Veronica Mafolo, and her co-accused, Thabo Freddy Phutiyagae.
The two were arrested following a theft of two Bonsmara calves that went missing from a farm in Schweizer Reneke in January 2018.
“The farmer noticed fresh car tracks in his farm in the early hours of the morning, and upon counting his stock, he realised that were missing, and he subsequently alerted his brother to report the matter to the police,” said North West NPA spokesperson Henry Mamothame.
“The farmer was later called at the Vryburg Auction Kraals, where he positively identified his missing calves.
“Evidence led in court revealed that Mafolo pleaded with the farmer not to lay charges against her as it would dent her reputation as a member of Parliament.”
In a statement DA said, that stock theft is “a massive criminal scourge in the North West” that continues to rob commercial and subsistence farmers of their livestock.
“That a former MP and a current serving councillor could implicate themselves in this sort of criminality despite taking an oath of office to uphold and advance the Constitution, to serve, protect and nurture the rights of all South Africans, is an absolute disgrace,” read the statement.
In aggravation of the sentence, state prosecutor Mpho Sephapo urged the court to impose direct imprisonment on the accused as the offence they committed is prevalent in the province.
Magistrate Paul Moeng agreed with the state and described the action by the duo as influenced by greed.
He further indicated that stock-theft harm the farmer’s business and further destroys employment for farm workers.
Meanwhile Matlosana local municipality ward councillor Tebogo Sepale (43) appeared in the Orkney Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on charges of statutory rape.
Sepale appeared in court following his arrest on Saturday.
It is alleged that Sepale had shared inappropriate pictures with a complainant and recorded a video in which a man was seen having sexual intercourse with a minor.
He is facing eleven provisional charges, two for statutory rape, three for the violation of a child with consent, one for manufacturing pornographic material, four for rape and one for sexual intimidation.
Mamothame says Sepale will be remanded in custody until 17 May for legal representation.
“He requested a week to appoint a private attorney to represent him and he will remain in police custody until his next court appearance.
“The State will oppose his bail application. The State is not ruling out the possibility of more charges being added.”
The African National Congress (ANC) said it will ensure there are consequences of its members facing sexual abuse and rape charges.
National spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri says the abuse and exploitation of women and children are an affront to the values of the ANC.
“The ANC will follow the two cases very closely to also come to a determination on how to ensure there are consequences for any proven wrongdoing that is deemed to be un-ANC in deed and spirit.
“The ANC expects its members and public representatives to demonstrate the highest level of ethical conduct and morality that is befitting of the leader of society.
“There is no room in the ANC for abusers who masquerade as cadres. Abusers have no place in the ANC,” says Bhengu-Motsiri.
She further urged law enforcement to ensure that those found guilty are given the harshest possible punishment.
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.