Three wanted rape suspects arrested in Bloemspruit as Free State police crack long running cases
In a significant breakthrough against gender based violence, the Free State Provincial Tracking Team has arrested three suspects wanted in separate rape investigations, bringing renewed hope to survivors and signalling a determined effort by police to track down alleged offenders who have remained out of reach for years.
The arrests, carried out through intelligence driven operations under the multidisciplinary Operation Shanela II, followed a series of tip offs from community informants and targeted tracing efforts across the Bloemspruit area. Police say the operation reflects their continued commitment to pursuing suspects linked to serious sexual offences, no matter how much time has passed.
The first arrest came after investigators acted on information about the whereabouts of 47 year old Deon Joshua. Officers tracked him to a residential address in Bergman, Bloemspruit, where he was taken into custody.
Joshua was wanted in connection with a rape case investigated in Bloemspruit. Police confirmed that a warrant for his arrest had been issued by the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court in 2025.
In a separate operation, officers arrested a 14 year old boy who is alleged to have evaded arrest for several years. The minor is linked to a rape case dating back to 2022. Police said investigators had been searching for the suspect for years before finally locating and arresting him following fresh intelligence.
The operation gained further momentum on Monday, 13 July 2026, at about 12.20pm, when members of the tracking team received new information while pursuing another suspect.
The intelligence led officers to Phase 7 in Bloemspruit, where they arrested 32 year old Thoriso Joseph Makhala.
Makhala is wanted in connection with the alleged rape of a mentally disabled woman in Bloemspruit in 2017. The case remained unresolved for years before investigators finally traced the suspect.
Police described the arrests as the result of persistent investigative work, combined with crucial support from members of the public who provided information that helped officers locate the suspects.
The Free State Provincial Tracking Team said the operation demonstrates the value of intelligence driven policing and close cooperation between specialised law enforcement units.
The South African Police Service reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing suspects accused of gender based violence and protecting vulnerable members of society. Police said investigations into sexual offences remain a priority and warned that those who commit crimes against women and children will continue to be pursued.
All three suspects are expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court, where they will face charges relating to their respective cases.
