Gospel singer convicted after fathering child with rape victim
Published: 2013 October 17 16:22:20 (6247 Views)
Gospel singer Sechaba Pali (32) was convicted of statutory rape and was given a suspended sentence of five years by the Ladybrand Magistrates Court in the Free State, SA.
The award-winning singer had been out on bail of R6 000.
He was charged with rape after he got a 15-year-old girl pregnant in January last year.
His lawyer, Eugene Willard, pleaded with the court not to send his client to jail.
"He has shown remorse and went on television to come clean before his court appearance. Please don't be harsh. He has learnt his lesson," said Willard.
The victim's sister was called to the stand. She said Sechaba was supporting the child.
When asked how the victim was coping, she said she had been depressed after the birth but was doing better now.
Before passing sentence, Magistrate Joseph Koekemoer said Sechaba had to raise his nine children.
"You need to forgive yourself. You have a responsibility to raise your children.
"It seems that you are willing to take responsibility but your name will be on the register of child rapists.
"You will not be allowed to work where there are children," Koekemoer said.
Sechaba's wife, Julie Pali, was not in court but he was supported by friends.
"I'm not happy about what I have done but I ask for forgiveness. I would like to thank those who supported me through the case. I promise to be a better man. I'm also planning a campaign against the abuse of women," he said.
- Dailysun
The award-winning singer had been out on bail of R6 000.
He was charged with rape after he got a 15-year-old girl pregnant in January last year.
His lawyer, Eugene Willard, pleaded with the court not to send his client to jail.
"He has shown remorse and went on television to come clean before his court appearance. Please don't be harsh. He has learnt his lesson," said Willard.
The victim's sister was called to the stand. She said Sechaba was supporting the child.
When asked how the victim was coping, she said she had been depressed after the birth but was doing better now.
Before passing sentence, Magistrate Joseph Koekemoer said Sechaba had to raise his nine children.
"You need to forgive yourself. You have a responsibility to raise your children.
"It seems that you are willing to take responsibility but your name will be on the register of child rapists.
"You will not be allowed to work where there are children," Koekemoer said.
Sechaba's wife, Julie Pali, was not in court but he was supported by friends.
"I'm not happy about what I have done but I ask for forgiveness. I would like to thank those who supported me through the case. I promise to be a better man. I'm also planning a campaign against the abuse of women," he said.
- Dailysun
1
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Anonymous user
2016 January 10 15:50:14
I am sick and tired of people saying that sechaba rape that girl she lied about her age she lied about that she wasn't having sex with nobody but him if he knew her real age he would have not touch her she went willingly to his friends house she will only came into his bedroom and she willingly went to the hotel with him the next day little girls that want to play grown woman games her own mother and sister didn't even know that she was sleeping with other people before him to say whatever you do in the dark comes to light how many guys did they test before they found out who the father was more than 3 14 with a 30 year old mine she knew what she was doing
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