The National Prosecuting Authority's regional spokesperson in the North West Division, Henry Mamothame, says Sepale, who is charged with statutory rape, requested a week to appoint a private attorney to represent him. He is facing 11 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. The state is not ruling out the possibility of more charges being added and will be opposing his bail.

Mamothame says that Sepale’s court appearance emanates from a report by the police indicating that the Klerksdorp Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, was investigating a case of crimen injuria and two separate counts of statutory rape, after they were reported at the Kanana Police Station, respectively. He says in one of the cases, the suspect allegedly shared a nude picture of his private parts with the complainant, in the second and separate case, but involving the same suspect, two counts of statutory rape were laid on Saturday 6 May 2023, by the parents of two boys aged 15 and 17.

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Investigations are still underway to gather more evidence against the suspect. The public is urged to refrain from circulating sexual content of any form through all mediums as it may compromise the victims and their families, as well as the investigations into the matter. The Director of Public Prosecutions in the province, Dr Rachel Makhari Sekhaolelo, together with the Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded the police for acting swiftly in arresting the suspect. A senior public prosecutor has been assigned to the case, owing to its serious nature.

Action Society is campaigning against Sepale, receiving bail after he was arrested for sexual misconduct. While the ANC in the North West confirmed that they have suspended the Klerksdorp-based ward 25 councillor, Action Society says the ANC should do much more than just suspend someone from “taking part in the life of the movement” when caught red-handed sexually abusing minors and abusing their position for sexual favours. The organisation in a media statement alleges that since the arrest of the councillor, other men and women have spoken out about the councillor’s abuse of power when employing people.

The ANC’s provincial secretary, Louis Diremelo, says they were shocked by the video circulating on social media platforms, showing one of their public representatives engaged in a sexual act. “Rising from this despicable behaviour, the ANC has suspended the membership of the member in question with immediate effect. This suspension will hold until the outcomes of the disciplinary process. He is suspended under Rule 25.17.4 of the Constitution of the African National Congress.” He further conveyed sympathies to all the victims and called on others who have not come forward, to do so.

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