FREE STATE - On Tuesday 01 March 2022 the Selosesha Magistrate Court sentenced Bone Olehile Lepota to ten years in prison. The 31-year-old habitual offender was arrested by the community members on 05 April 2021. Olehile had broken into a house at Moroka Location in Thaba Nchu at about 06:00, raped a 28-year-old pregnant victim in the presence of her six year old son and then stole a sound amplifier, a pair of sneakers and a bag.

The victim managed to raise the alarm as the perpetrator was leaving the yard and the community members came out in numbers and arrested him. They then called the police and a case of housebreaking with intention to commit crime; rape and theft was opened at Selosesha Police Station.

The trial commenced at Selosesha Magistrate Court and the accused was convicted at last. He was then sentenced to ten (10) years imprisonment on the count of housebreaking and rape. The Court also sentenced Olehile to five (5) years imprisonment on the count of housebreaking and theft. Both sentences will run concurrently.

The District Commissioner of Mangaung Metro Major General Arthur Peter Adams praised the response of the community and the responsible deed of arresting the perpetrator and handing him over to the police unharmed. "The citizen arrest was a good indication of Community-Police Relations. Our communities must refrain from taking the law into their hands. Acts of mob justice cannot be tolerated": said the General.

Source: South African Police Service