By Jonk wa Mashamba
Editor-In-Chief
Sergeant Busisiwe Khuzwayo, Malamulele police spokesperson confirmed that Wisani Chauke was arrested in Saselamani.
“It is alleged that on the 24th of April 2023 at night members of Saselamani saps contacted Malamulele Saps and informed them about an African male Wisani Chauke (28) who was brought in by his relatives alleging that he was wanted by Malamulele Saps on the Cas of Assault GBH and Attempted murder.
“The members indeed confirmed such information and rushed to Saselamani saps where they found the suspect in the holding cell. He was then arrested and taken to malamulele saps where he was detained,” said Khuzwayo.
Chauke, who is known as Whilo , a local taxi conductor, was wanted for allegedly stabbing his ex-girlfriend, Ntshuxeko Revonia Maluleke (22), a grade 12 learner at Hlaluko secondary school, Gandlanani village in Malamulele.
“It is alleged that on 20th April 2023 at about 16:50, a 22-years-old Ntshuxeko Rivonia Maluleke a grade 12 leaner of Nhlaluko Secondary school situated at Gandlanani village was coming from school with other learners.
“It is alleged that as they were walking, an African male Wisani Chauke who is the victim’s Ex-boyfriend and the father of her baby, approached the victim with her school mates.
“Without saying anything, he started assaulting the victim and she fell down. Her mates tried to push the suspect off her, however he threatened to kill them.
“It is further alleged that during the process, he then produced a knife and stabbed the victim several times all over her body.
“That’s when one amongst them ran back to the school to notify the school principal, Mr Chauke, who then came and rescued the victim and the suspect ran away after the incident,” Khuzwayo said.
“While he was stabbing her, he sucked the blood. That shocked all of us. He resembled a witch,” a source said.
Yesterday, the community of Gandlanani went to the school, took the learners and marched with them to Malamulele police station.
Principal Chauke confirmed that the learners were taken out of the school. However, he said he was not sure when the classes would resume.
While at the police station, they burned tyres and demanded that police go with them to Jerome village where Wisani was allegedly hidding.
When they arrived in Jerome, the police searced the entire 6 room house and allegedly found it empty with no furniture.
The community started to pelt the house with stones. The police used rubber bullets to disperse the unrully mob.
One of the community leaders said, ” After some members were injured due to rubber bullets, that’s when angry villagers torched that house.
” I tried to stop the community from doing so, but they were angry at me, saying I was with the police. I distanced myself and also told the police that I was not part of the mob,” he said.
The house belonged to Wisani’s aunt who was accused of allegedly hidding him on several occasions.
Wisani’s family home was already burned down last week by the same furious mob.
It is alleged that he had stabbed the victim before and nothing was done. It’s said the police had promised to arrest the man before Good Friday. The villagers said if he was arrested before, he wouldn’t have stabbed her again.
“Wisani stabbed Ntshuxeko first on the 24th of March 2023 with a beer bottle and the Case of Assault GBH was registered, and the protection order was issued. The suspect was traced at his homestead and relatives with no luck, because he was hiding in the bushes and in different locations.
“The very same suspect then persuaded the victim where he followed her after school on Thursday the 20th of April 2023, he stabbed her with a knife on the face and head several times,” said Khuzwayo.
According to Ntshuxeko’s uncle, she was recovering from the hospital.
“Malamulele SAPS is investigating a case of arson that took place at Jerome Village outside Malamulele,” said Khuzwayo.
She said the POP members jointly with CPU members were assisting the community in tracing the suspect.
“On arrival at the said house, the community members broke and entered and noticed that the home owners removed all their furniture and left without informing anyone
“The angry residents then began to break the window panes and started vandalising the property and throwing stones to the police officers.
“It is alleged that during the process, they also touched the house and ran to the bushes
“The police will register a case of arson and malicious damage to the property,” said Khuzwayo.
