A man from Phuthaditjhaba, eastern Free State, has been arrested for allegedly raping his former girlfriend after holding her against her will in her rented room on Tuesday night.
Police spokesperson for the area, Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring, says the woman, aged 22, was busy writing assignments in her room when she was confronted by the ex-boyfriend at about 19:00.
Mophiring said the young woman, who is a tenant in one of the rented rooms in Phuthaditjhaba and also a student, thought it was one of the other tenants when she heard a knock on the door only to find it was her ex-boyfriend.
The man, according to Mophiring, then entered the room and locked the door.
“It is further alleged that the suspect demanded to sleep with the girl but she refused,” said Mophiring.
“He started accusing her of having other affairs and raped her. She screamed for help. The suspect threatened her with a knife which he kept in his pocket.
“Other tenants and the landlord knocked and forcefully opened the door upon hearing her screams and found her with the suspect.
“They immediately called the police. He was handed over to members of the Crime Prevention Unit and the knife in his possession was confiscated.”
Mophiring said the police are investigating a case of rape and that of possessing a dangerous weapon.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrates Court soon.
Meanwhile, the Virginia Regional Court has slapped Clinton Pule with a 20-year-prison term for raping a 25-year-old woman in March 2020.
The court heard the woman was walking alone next to the Welkom Swimming Pool in Jim Fouchepark when the incident happened.
When she passed one of the townhouses, an unknown man was sitting on the opposite side of the road.
The man stood up and started following her, asking for her name, where she was studying and where she resided.
“While walking in Begonia Street, approaching a vacant stand, the man started to put his hand on her waist,” said Lejweleputswa police spokesperson Captain Stephen Thakeng in a statement at the conclusion of the case.
“The complainant told him not to touch her. He took out a knife and grabbed her by her hand. She was forced to an open stand at knife point.
“The victim was undressed and raped. After the rape ordeal, the suspect walked away from the scene. The victim grabbed her clothes and handbag to seek help.”
Unbeknown to Pule, a motorist followed him as he fled from the scene.
He was eventually arrested while walking on the street. – Staff Reporter
