The man accused of the brutal rape and murder of Relebogile Segami (11) appeared expressionless in the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court on 13 April, when he abandoned his bail application.
It was confirmed in court that the 24-year-old accused, Itumeleng Machabe, had been out on bail when the crime was committed. Bail had been granted in an unrelated case in which he stands accused of raping a 15-year-old girl.
Relebogile’s body was found on 31 March after she had been missing for 24 hours. Her body had been dumped in the veld behind the Northern Cape Legislature.
Dr Zamani Saul, premier, visited the bereaved family, and a special memorial service was held in her honour on 5 April. She was buried on 8 April, after a funeral service held in the Mayibuye Centre.
Machabe said he wanted to apply for bail, but he decided differently a week later. His legal representative, Chwaro Kgotlalomong, said his client had abandoned the application.
Tabitha Rhadebe, prosecutor, said to Magistrate Leon Blaauw the state intended to combine the cases of Relebogile’s murder and rape and the rape of the teenage girl during Machabe’s next appearance on Monday (25/04). He remains in custody.
Outside the court, community members and members of the EFF and ANC demanded that the bail application be refused.
Mathapelo Siwisa, EFF-MP, who works on the party’s gender violence committee, hails from the same ward of Kimberley as Relebogile. She flew from Cape Town for the court proceedings and to support the family.
“If we have justice in the present case, we will have justice for the other victims too. Their mothers will find peace, as well as all mothers out there whose children are at risk of this monster.”
- Also read the story “Family sufffering after murder”
