Management of police in Gauteng has welcomed the hefty life-long sentence imposed on a serial rapist in the Johannesburg High Court on May 15.
Const Patricia Mgijima said Shadrack Xidada Chauke was found guilty and sentenced to life for each count of rape and attempted rape, translating to 25 life sentences (23 counts of rape and two of attempted murder) plus an additional 254 years for multiple counts of attempted murder, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, robbery and kidnapping.
“Chauke was spotted by a rape victim three months after the incident in December 2015. Police swiftly responded to the woman’s call and arrested the suspect who was subsequently subjected to forensic tests as part of the thorough investigation, successfully linking him to 17 other cases that had previously been reported to the police,” said Mgijima.
Mgijima added that Lt Gen Deliwe de Lange congratulated not only the investigators but also the victim who alerted the police of the whereabouts of the suspect. She also congratulated the witnesses who remained resolute and co-operated with the police throughout the investigation, ensuring that Chauke’s reign of terror in and around Tembisa is brought to a complete halt.
“This sentence today will go a long way in encouraging our members to continue to prioritise the investigation of cases against women, children and other vulnerable groups. For the police, arresting a suspect is a success. But a conviction in court and multiple life sentences brings even more content,” said the provincial commissioner.
