OPERATION SHANELA II CONTINUES TO ELIMINATE CRIME OPPORTUNITIES IN BOITHUSO POLICING PRECINCT, BOTSHABELO

Apprehended Suspects

By: Neo Ntsele

Five suspects, aged between 18 and 25, are set to appear in the Botshabelo Magistrate’s Court soon on various charges, including rape.

This follows an intensive investigation by the Boithuso Crime Prevention Unit Relief A, acting on information during #OperationalShanela II, conducted from 3 to 4 August 2026.

In the early hours of Monday, 3 August 2026, around 01:30 in F-Section, Boithuso Policing precinct, two females and two males returning from work at a local tavern were confronted and robbed at gunpoint by three African males.

After assaulting the two male colleagues, the suspects led the females to a nearby bush in F-Section, known as Iketsetseng, where they were raped.

The female victims reported the rapes and provided descriptions of the suspects based on their clothing and appearance.

The Boithuso Crime Prevention Unit Team B promptly acted on the information.

One foreign national was located and arrested on Monday, 3 August 2026.

The other two suspects were tracked down and detained on Tuesday, 4 August 2026, following a thorough investigation.

They were found with cellphones and shoes belonging to the victims.

A knife and two balaclavas, matching the victims' descriptions and allegedly used during the crime, were also seized from the suspects.

The two suspects were in the company of two other illegal immigrants, who were also arrested.

Three of the five suspects will face multiple charges in the Botshabelo Magistrate’s Court, including assault, two counts of rape, armed robbery, possession of a dangerous weapon, and violations of the Immigration Act, while the other two African males will be charged under the Immigration Act.

Investigations are ongoing.