Update on Thembelihle Sokhela Case:



The trial of Thabo Molefe, accused of raping and murdering Thembelihle Sokhela in September 2014, began Monday 27 July 2015 in the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court. After almost 9 months of delays, the trial was set down for the 24 to 28 August 2015 in the Delmas High Court. In the 2nd week of July the case was moved to the Pretoria High Court and set down for the 27 to 31 July 2015. On Friday, 24 July 2015, activists, family members and state witnesses were informed that the case had been moved to the Pretoria North Magistrates Court due to lack of space at the Pretoria High Court. Although we were deeply distressed by the sudden change in venue – which impacted on our ability to mobilise activists to attend the hearing – we appreciated that the trial had not been postponed yet again.

Activists who had been at the court since 7.30 in the morning were disappointed when the hearing did not start at the stipulated time due to lack of communication in the CJS. The accused had been taken to the Pretoria High Court from the Modderbee Prison as the Correctional Services Department had not received the appropriate documentation in time to enable them to transport him to the Pretoria North magistrates Court. Once this had been sorted, the start had again to be delayed due to the lack of an interpreter. Justice Mokgotsi intervened and, together with court officials, found an interpreter and the hearing commenced at 11.35am. Notwithstanding all the frustrations, activists at the court received good co-operation from the head of security, Mr De Kock, and the court manager, Mr Phiri.
On Monday the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges of murder and rape were put to him by the State. Molefe’s attorney, Advocate Van Wyk, stated that he would argue that on the night of the 13 September 2014 he had consensual sex with Sokhela. Further, that on the night of the 14 September 2014 he and Sokhela went to his house after drinking at a local tavern where they had an argument which resulted in a physical fight. She was however alive when they went to sleep. The next morning he found that she had died sometime during the night.

The state prosecutor, Salome Scheepers, tried to show that Molefe’s version was not possible as Sokhlela was known not to be interested in men. Tavern owner, Thabiso Monametsi, stated that Sokhela was a regular at his tavern. According to Monametsi, “Lihle was a friend to all of us .. I knew Lihle to be a person who had girlfriends” and she was “not interested when men were proposing love to her”. Another witness (who asked not to be identified) who claimed to be Sokhela’s girlfriend for 8 months stated that “Thembelihle was not dating men; she was only interested in women”.

The trial resumes Tuesday 28 July at 9 am where the state is set to wrap up its case. Rainbow Activist Alliance members and FEW staff will again be at court to monitor proceedings.
Join us in demanding justice for Thembelihle.
Safety and Justice are our Rights!

For more information, contact Siphokazi Nombande 011 403 1906011 403 1906/ 083 304 8910083 304 8910 or Phindi Malaza 073 240 6049073 240 6049