57-year-old, James Thobakgale was convicted and sentenced on two counts of rape. Photo: Archive
POLOKWANE – The 57-year-old Pastor, James Thobakgale will appear in the Mankweng Regional Court in October for sentencing after being granted bail.
The NPA’s Provincial Spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi- Dzhangi, says Thobakgale was granted R200 000 bail after his defence brought in an application to consult a private psychologist which the State opposed.
Thobakgale was on trial for two counts of rape that he committed in January 2012 and was convicted on both counts on Monday, 19 August. One of the rape victims was a 14-year-old minor.
Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo said Thobakgale is also facing several other charges for crimes committed in the Seshego policing area, for which he was earlier granted bail.
“Thobakgale and five members of his church will again appear in the Seshego Magistrate’s Court on 27 August, on multiple charges,” he said.
Raeesa Sempe is a Caxton Award-winning Digital Editor with nine years’ experience in the industry. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand and started her journey as a community journalist for the Polokwane Review in 2015. She then became the online journalist for the Review in 2016 where she excelled in solidifying the Review’s digital footprint through Facebook lives, content creation and marketing campaigns. Raeesa then moved on to become the News Editor of the Bonus Review in 2019 and scooped up the Editorial Employee of the Year award in the same year. She is the current Digital Editor of the Polokwane Review-Observer, a position she takes pride in. Raeesa is married with one child and enjoys spending time with friends, listening to music and baking – when she has the time. “I still believe that if your aim is to change the world, journalism is a more immediate short-term weapon." – Tom Stoppard
