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Rapist and murderer to serve three life terms and 226 years direct imprisonment

The Zimbabwean national escaped jail in 2020 and was re-arrested on June 7, 2022, after he shot and killed a 35-year-old man in Olievenhoutbosch.

A convicted rapist and murderer who escaped lawful custody in December 2020 has been hit with a hefty sentence by the Pretoria High Court on Tuesday.

The illegal Zimbabwean national, Leonard Lemmy Chauke (34), who resides in Olievenhoutbosch was sentenced to three life terms and an additional of 226 years direct imprisonment.

Lumka Mahanjana, an NPA spokesperson, said that Chauke was convicted of 26 counts of heinous crimes including, rape, murder, illegal immigration, kidnapping, housebreaking, prison escape, possession of an illegal firearm, illegal ammunition, as well as robbery.

Mahanjana said Chauke was meant to serve a 15-year sentence at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Services for housebreaking and robbery with aggravating circumstances, when he escaped in December 2020, only after two months of his sentence.

After his escape, Chauke and his accomplices committed crimes in and around Olievenhoutbosch and Wierda Park where they used the same modus operandi.

“They would break into the complainants’ houses, robbing them of their belongings, and taking the female victims to the nearby veld and gang-raping them.”

She said Chauke’s youngest victim was a 17-year-old girl.

“On June 7, 2022, Chauke and his accomplice arrived, shot, and killed a 35-year-old man at a squatter camp in Olievenhoutbosch. Chauke was then arrested two days later after a witness to the murder pointed him out to the police and he has been in custody since,” Mahanjana said.

Court Proceedings

In court, Chauke pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against him and told the court that he committed the offences while under the influence of drugs.

Through his legal representative, he asked the court to deviate from imposing the prescribed minimum sentences because he has been in custody since his arrest.

“However, state prosecutor Advocate Mokautu Masilo argued that Chauke did not show any remorse for the crimes he committed, instead, he is hiding behind his use of drugs,” Mahanjana said.

She said advocate Masilo further explained to the court that the crimes committed by Chauke were heinous and were done in a meticulous and premeditated manner, where Chauke and his accomplice would scout and attack vulnerable people and then threaten them with a weapon.

“Moreover, Masilo handed in seven victim impact statements facilitated by the court preparation officer, Lebogang Lebese, where the victims expressed how the incidents have emotionally affected them.”

Therefore, asked the court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence.

Judge Portia Phahlane agreed with the state that Chauke did not show any remorse.

Phahlane agreed that Chauke was convicted of very serious offences that are prevalent in the country and that the court must protect law-abiding citizens from such criminals.

“Moreover, Judge Phahlane said everyone has a right to life, which should not be taken away from them, and that communities are terrorized by people like Chauke,” Mahanjana continued.

She said the judge therefore said that a clear message should be sent that such behaviour is not acceptable.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Sibongile Mzinyathi, welcomed the fitting sentence handed by the court to a man who terrorized the community.

He also applauded the outstanding work of the investigating officer, Sergeant Edward Matsobane, and the prosecutor.

He made it clear to the community that violent crimes are a priority for the National Prosecuting Authority.

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