Teen among three wanted on rape charges arrested in Free State operation

Police in the Free State have arrested three suspects wanted on rape charges, including a 14-year-old, during a targeted operation called Operation Shanela II. The arrests were disclosed by provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli.

How the arrests unfolded

Kareli said the tracking team launched a targeted tracing operation after receiving information from an informant. Acting on that information, officers located and arrested 47-year-old Deon Joshua at a residential address in Bergman, Bloemspruit. Joshua was wanted on a warrant of arrest issued by the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court in 2025 in connection with a Bloemspruit rape case.

Following a separate tip-off from a tasked informant, the team arrested a 14-year-old who had been wanted for several years. The teenager is linked to a 2022 Bloemspruit rape case. The minor cannot be named because he is underage.

Arrest of third suspect

While tracking another suspect, the team received intelligence on the whereabouts of a wanted man in Phase 7 on Monday, July 13. Officers reacted swiftly and arrested 32-year-old Thoriso Joseph Makhala. Makhala was sought for the rape of a mentally challenged female in Bloemspruit in 2017, Kareli said.

Police statement and next steps

Police described the arrests as evidence of the tracking team’s dedication and the support received from the community. In the statement, Kareli said:

“We will continue to hunt down those who prey on the vulnerable and ensure they face the full might of the law.”

All three suspects are expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court soon to face their respective charges.

Operation name

The arrests took place as part of Operation Shanela II.