RAPE SUSPECT WANTED FOR 17 YEARS FINALLY ARRESTED

By: Neo Ntsele

The Free State Provincial Tracking Team has successfully captured a suspect long sought after in connection with a 2009 rape case, following a focused intelligence-driven Operation Shanela II.

On Tuesday night, 18 August 2026, at around 20:30, members of the Provincial Tracking Team acted on reliable information about the suspect's location.

Members strategically approached and arrested 38-year-old Tshediso Emmanuel Makamole in Phase 10, Mangaung, concluding his 17 years on the run.

The arrest originates from a case reported in Freedom Square in 2009.

It is alleged that Makamole, then 17 years old, went with his 32-year-old neighbour and friends to a local tavern.

While returning home in a bakkie, Makamole stopped on the roadside and assaulted the victim while the others stayed in the back of the vehicle.

A patrolling police vehicle approached, causing the occupants to flee and allowing officers to rescue the victim.

A rape case was filed at the Bloemspruit SAPS, leading to Makamole's initial arrest.

Makamole later appeared in court and was granted bail.

However, he failed to attend subsequent court dates, causing the court to issue a warrant for his arrest.

The case was then handed over to the Provincial Tracking and Tracing Team to locate and re-arrest him.

The 38-year-old suspect is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court soon, facing charges for the 2009 rape and failure to appear in court.