The ANC councillor caught on video sexually abusing young men and charged with statutory rape, Tebogo Sepale, is still receiving his salary, almost two months after his acts became public. The ANC says he will continue to be paid until he receives bail.
Sepale is a ward councillor in the Matlosane local municipality in North West. The video went viral at the beginning of May. In the meantime, more acts of misconduct have come to light, including sexual intimidation, crimen injuria and murder.
“It is an atrocity that he is still getting a salary,” said Ian Cameron, Director of Community Safety at Action Society. “His contract of employment should have ended with immediate effect. No investigation or due process can turn around what he has done. It was open for the whole world to see, and we do not doubt that he is guilty of the acts he is being charged with.”
According to the municipal guidelines, the council speaker must authorise an investigation of a breach of the councillors’ code of conduct on reasonable suspicion of misconduct and establish a committee to conduct the investigation. As yet, no committee has been established. Sepale will continue to receive his salary until a committee can report back and make recommendations to the council.
Sepale’s case will continue on 7 July pending further investigation.
Action Society has long campaigned that violent criminals should not be considered for public office and that perpetrators of violence against children should not receive bail. Support us in these campaigns.