The Free State Provincial Commissioner issues a stern warning to women following two disturbing incidents of kidnapping and rape.
In the first incident, a 19-year-old college student was accosted on Christoliet Street, Jan Cillierspark, as she made her way to school. An unknown man driving a grey Mazda 3 approached her, claiming his child was missing, and the kidnappers matched her description. Allegedly demanding a R50, 000 ransom, he convinced her to enter the vehicle, drove her near Masimong mine, where he raped her, and provided her with R50 to take a taxi home.
The suspect is described as slender, tall, light-skinned, with a missing front tooth and a chest scar. He wore a dark blue suit and spoke Sesotho.
In a separate incident on 9 November 2023, around 18:20, a girl walking home from Sylvania Spar in Jan Cillierspark accepted a lift from a white Mahindra bakkie driven by a white male. During the journey towards the Traffic Department, the driver assaulted her. Fortunately, she managed to escape when reaching her residence and reported the incident, leading to a rape case investigation.
We urge girls to refrain from entering vehicles driven by strangers. If feeling threatened, scream for help to attract passers-by attention. Two kidnapping and rape cases are under investigation.
Anyone with information can contact Detective Sergeant Lehlohonolo Fonya of Welkom FCS Unit at 071 679 0988 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
