Police spokesperson, Thabo Covane, tells OFM News Sello Bahumi was identified as the perpetrator in the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl from Petrusburg – where Bahumi resided in December 2018. The alleged rape was reported on 21 December, after the victim said it occurred at around 01:00 am that day. Covane says the matter ended up sitting in the Petrusburg Magistrate’s Court in early 2019.

The victim and her mother, however, later approached the Sexual Offences Regional Court, informing officials they no longer wanted to continue with the case. The rape case against Bahumi was formally withdrawn in the Local Magistrate’s Court on February 28, mere days before he was selected as the preferred candidate for the position of mayor.

On Monday, 4 March, the embattled former Mayor of Letsemeng, Thandiwe Reachable, stepped down from her position following months of intense protest action in the small town of Koffiefontein where residents repeatedly called for her head. OFM News’ previous reports indicate the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and Provincial Working Committee (PWC) met with residents on Sunday, March 4, to give them feedback on a report submitted by the ANC deputy Secretary General, Jessie Duarte, after she also met the irate residents days earlier.

OFM News’ attempts to reach Bahumi for comment have been unsuccessful, but a fellow councillor in the municipality who asked not to be named dismissed the rape allegations. 

OFM News