SCORES of people yesterday left the Seshego Magistrate's Court disappointed after a local pastor accused of raping a 14-year-old girl was granted bail.
The placard-carrying crowd protested outside the court where Pastor Madidimalo James Thubakgale, 50, was granted bail pending further investigation.
The victim was allegedly sexually abused between August and September last year. But a case against the culprit was only opened in December and he was arrested on New Year's Eve.
Magistrate Tumi Tladi released Thubakgale on R2000 bail.
This was after prosecutor MA Rampheri had read an affidavit by investigating officer Warrant Officer Benjamin Senyatsi, who said he had no objection to Thubakgale being granted bail.
"I have no fear that the suspect will jeopardise the investigation. He is a married father of two children with a fixed residential address. The suspect has been cooperative since he was notified of an investigation against him and he is not a flight risk. It is on this basis that I recommend that he be released on bail," read the affidavit.
Shortly after the proceedings a large crowd gathered outside the courtroom and took a decision to fight "to the bitter end" to ensure that justice prevailed on the matter.
The case has been postponed to February 17.
Pastor gets bail
SCORES of people yesterday left the Seshego Magistrate's Court disappointed after a local pastor accused of raping a 14-year-old girl was granted bail.
The placard-carrying crowd protested outside the court where Pastor Madidimalo James Thubakgale, 50, was granted bail pending further investigation.
The victim was allegedly sexually abused between August and September last year. But a case against the culprit was only opened in December and he was arrested on New Year's Eve.
Magistrate Tumi Tladi released Thubakgale on R2000 bail.
This was after prosecutor MA Rampheri had read an affidavit by investigating officer Warrant Officer Benjamin Senyatsi, who said he had no objection to Thubakgale being granted bail.
"I have no fear that the suspect will jeopardise the investigation. He is a married father of two children with a fixed residential address. The suspect has been cooperative since he was notified of an investigation against him and he is not a flight risk. It is on this basis that I recommend that he be released on bail," read the affidavit.
Shortly after the proceedings a large crowd gathered outside the courtroom and took a decision to fight "to the bitter end" to ensure that justice prevailed on the matter.
The case has been postponed to February 17.
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