LIMPOPO – The Malamulele Regional Court has sentenced 29-year-old Wisani Chauke to life imprisonment last Wednesday after he was convicted of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) and attempted murder.

According to police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the incident started on April 20, 2023, when Chauke, a resident of Mafanele village in the Malamulele policing area, visited the 21-year-old mother of his child, who is believed to be his girlfriend, at her home.

The court heard that a heated argument over infidelity erupted between the couple, leading to Chauke assaulting the victim.

She was only rescued when a family member intervened and rushed her to a local hospital for medical attention.

Following the attack, Chauke fled the scene, and a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm was opened at the local police station.

The violence, however, escalated on May 16, 2023 when Chauke returned from hiding.

He encountered the victim on her way to attend school lessons and brutally assaulted her again, this time stabbing her with a sharp object and leaving her unconscious.

The school principal found the victim and took her to the hospital for emergency treatment, where medical personnel were forced to remove one of her severely injured eyes due to the extent of her injuries.

A case of attempted murder was subsequently opened and assigned to WO Thanyani Albert Bakela of the Malamulele Detectives Unit.

Officer Bakela’s determined and thorough investigation led to Chauke surrendering himself at Saselamani Police Station within two days of the incident.

Chauke was denied bail and remained in custody until his conviction. His life sentence was welcomed by provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, who said, “Individuals like this perpetrator deserve to be ostracised from society due to their inhumane attitude towards defenceless and vulnerable citizens in Limpopo.”