The bail application hearing of alleged murderer Songezo Steven Jakane (Sejakane) (42) in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court is set to continue on Wednesday, 4 December, and run until Thursday. The latest bail application pertains to the murder case of his lover, Mpho Judith Moalasi (41).
Jakane has been remanded in custody since his arrest on 17 June.
The state has turned down his applications for bail in the murder case of Moalosi, who had taught at the Tsoseletso Secondary School in Bloemfontein.
Jakane (Sejakane) reportedly ran over Moalosi’s body multiple times at the crime scene near the G4S Mangaung Prison on 16 June. The police reported that Moalosi’s body was found along the Dewetsdorp road.
It is understood that the rejection of Jakane’s application by the state is based on new facts that came to light: Jakane has pending gender-based cases against him.
At the time of his arrest for murder in June, Jakane had been out on bail pertaining to the alleged rape of his former lover. He had been released on bail in November last year, with the police’s investigation into the matter still ongoing.
Deceased teacher Judith Mpho Moalosi
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Jakane in fact has two pending rape cases against him. These involve a 51-year-old mother and her 17-year-old daughter.
Mojalefa Senokoatsane, acting spokesperson for the NPA in the Free State, said the hearing of the rape matter was set to continue in January next year.
With murder case lingering over Jakane’s head, women’s rights advocacy groups have also opposed his application for bail and have galvanised support since his arrest in connection with Moalosi’s killing.
Sejakane’s estranged wife, Mahadi Jakane, has echoed the clarion call for the Bloemfontein criminal justice system to be firm against her husband regarding the horrific murder of Moalosi.
During a protest against Sejakane’s previous bail application, Mahadi publicly said she was also living in fear and believed she would be at great risk should the state grant her husband bail.
Sejakane’s recent reputation is in stark contrast to what it had been a few years ago. In 2015, he started the SSS Foundation and was a finalist for the 2018 South African Men of the Year Awards.
