A suspended ANC councillor of Matlosana Municipality accused of prying on underage victims has been denied bail.

Tebogo Sepale (43) appeared briefly before the Orkney Magistrate’s Court on Friday (24/11) when the case was postponed to 17 January and transferred to the regional court.

North West NPA spokesperson Henry Mamothame welcomed the judgement and said the state will be preparing for pre-trial.

The accused faces 11 charges including 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 may add other charges when the case goes to a higher court, said Mamothame, after investigations were completed. They were awaiting bail judgement to propose a date for the matter to be transferred to a higher court for pre-trial conferencing.

The councillor was arrested after social media posts did the rounds that he was allegedly involved with minors. He was later apprehended.

Organisations such as Sonke Gender Justice have slammed the ANC for continuing to pay the salary of the accused.

OFM News/ Kekeletso Mosebetsi       Daphné