Sonke Gender Justice wants salary of ANC rape-accused councillor revoked
Sonke Gender Justice has called on the ANC to recall Tebogo Sepale as a councillor in the Matlosana municipality pending his trial on charges of rape.
The 43-year-old politician from Klerksdorp faces 11 provisional charges; two of statutory rape, three of violating a child without consent, one of manufacturing pornographic material, four of rape, and one of sexual intimidation.
Co-Executive Director Bafana Khumalo says Sepale earning a salary while being imprisoned is unacceptable.
“This lack of action by the ruling party demonstrates one more time that they do not take gender-based violence, femicide and sexual violence seriously."
"It is unbelievable that a party that professes to be committed to end sexual violence acts in this manner when one of their own is caught on the wrong side of the law."
Khumalo said the ANC claims its hands are tied from removing him from its deployees' list, as it can only be done once he is granted bail.
"We all understand the principle of ‘no work no pay’ but by ANC standards this only applies to others and not their own. Why is a councillor sitting in prison being paid as he is not offering any service behind a cell. One wonders how this expense will be justified in an audit."
Sepale will remain in custody until his next court appearance on 7 July.
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