BOTSHABELO – Five suspects aged between 18 and 25 are expected to appear in the Botshabelo Magistrate’s Court soon following a swift police breakthrough into a horrific armed robbery and double rape case.
The arrests were executed during a targeted Operation Shanela II blitz, carried out by the Boithuso Crime Prevention Unit between 3 August and 4 August 2026.
According to the Free State police spokesperson, Sgt Sinah Mpakane, the incident unfolded during the early hours of Monday, 3 August 2026, at approximately 01:30 in F-Section, within the Boithuso policing precinct.
Two men and two women were walking home from their shift at a local tavern when they were cornered by three armed men.
The attackers assaulted the two male workers before robbing the entire group of their belongings at gunpoint. The suspects then forced the two female victims into a nearby bushy area known as Iketsetseng, where they were raped.
Following the ordeal, the traumatised women opened criminal cases, providing detailed descriptions of the attackers’ clothing and physical appearances.
Boithuso Crime Prevention Unit Relief A and Team B immediately launched an intensive follow-up operation:
Monday, 3 August: Officers tracked down and apprehended the first suspect, identified as a foreign national.
Tuesday, 4 August: Intensive investigations led police to a location where the remaining two primary suspects were hiding out.
During the Tuesday arrests, police recovered stolen cellphones and shoes belonging to the victims. Officers also confiscated a knife and two balaclavas matching the exact description provided by the victims.
Two additional undocumented foreign nationals found in the company of the suspects were also taken into custody. All five suspects now face multiple charges, including rape, armed robbery, and immigration violations.
“Three of the five suspects will appear in the Botshabelo Magistrate’s Court on multiple charges including assault, 2 counts of rape, robbery with a firearm, possession of dangerous weapon and contravention of the “Immigration Act, whilst the other two (2) African males will appear in court on charges under the Immigration Act. Investigations continue,” said Mpakane.
