A 38-year-old Bloemfontein man wanted in connection with an alleged rape dating back to 2009 has been arrested after spending 17 years on the run.
The suspect was apprehended in Mangaung on Tuesday night during a targeted, intelligence-driven operation by the Free State Provincial Tracking Team.
Police allege that the man, who was 17 at the time, raped his 32-year-old neighbour in 2009.
According to investigators, the suspect had accompanied the woman and her friends to a local tavern. While they were travelling home in a bakkie, he allegedly asked the driver to stop before raping the woman, while the other passengers remained in the back of the vehicle.
A case was opened at the Bloemspruit police station, which eventually led to the suspect's arrest.
He appeared in court and was granted bail but later failed to attend his scheduled court appearances. A warrant for his arrest was subsequently issued.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court in due course.