BLOEMFONTEIN – A 46-year-old rape suspect is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court soon after evading arrest for 16 years. The Free State police confirmed the suspect’s arrest on Friday 3 July in the Jagersfontein central business district (CBD) in connection with the alleged rape of a female friend in 2010.
Sgt Mahlomola Kareli, spokesperson for the provincial police, said the suspect was charged with rape. He added that the man was placed on the police’s wanted list after having been on the run since 2010. The case was registered at the Kopanong Police Station in Turflaagte, Bloemfontein, for further investigation.
Kareli said the Provincial Police Tracking Team apprehended the suspect at approximately 11:15 in Jagersfontein, a town located 110 km west of Bloemfontein.
“His arrest followed an intensive tracking operation that led the provincial team to the Jagersfontein CBD, where he was cornered and taken into police custody. It is alleged that the suspect forced his 36-year-old female friend into his residence where he raped her after a night of drinking,” said Kareli.
He said the victim managed to escape the house and immediately reported the matter at the Kopanong Police Station. The victim was 20 years old at the time. “Following the incident, the suspect fled the area and vanished,” said Kareli.
