By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
The High Court of South: North West Division, sitting in the Ga-Rankuwa Circuit Court, sentenced Anderson Calvin Chauke (32) to life imprisonment for rape and a lengthy jail term for eight (8) other serious offenses today.
Chauke was arrested on 12 January 2019, following a series of criminal offences being reported to the police against him and his accomplices.
On 07 May 2018 in the district of Madibeng in Kgabalatsane, the accused together with two accomplices broke into the house occupied by two adult females with an intention to commit an offence.
They then robbed their victims a laptop, cell phone, R300 and other valuables. Before fleeing the scene, they then raped one of the victims.
The court sentenced Chauke to life imprisonment for rape, fifteen (15) years for robbery and a further five (5) years for house breaking.
Chauke’s trail of offences continued as on the night of 26 December 2018 at Kgabalatsane, near Ga-Rankuwa, he together with his accomplices went to a nearby house and confronted an elderly woman who was outside.
Sakhile Mhlongo, the son of the woman who was confronted by Chauke and his friends went outside to intervene. Upon approaching, Chauke shot him on the thigh.
They then robbed him two cell phones, a laptop and some clothing items whilst assaulting him. Chauke was sentenced to fifteen (15) years for attempted murder and fifteen (15) years for robbery.
Henry Mamothame, NPA Spokesperson, said on 12 January 2019, Chauke and one unidentified man broke into a house at Kgabalatsane and found Felistas Masite asleep.
“They then assaulted her before robbing her two cellphones and a belt. They fled the scene afterwards.
“The court sentenced Chauke to five (5) years for housebreaking and a further ten (10) years for robbery.
“Subsequent to robbing Masite, Chauke, without his accomplice, broke into another house in Kgabalatsane and was confronted by Muziwenkosi Gumbi inside the house.
“He then pulled out a firearm and opened fire. He then assaulted and pointed a gun at Gumbi while robbing her two cellphones, R1000 and clothing items.
“The court sentenced him to five (5) years for housebreaking and a further fifteen (15) years for robbery,” said Mamothame.
The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm. The sentence on all charges will run concurrently.
Meanwhile, police are still searching for Chauke’s accomplices.
In aggravation of a harsher sentence, Advocate Theophylus Moetaesi argued that the accused was a hardcore criminal who pounced on vulnerable members of society.
He urged the court to consider the trauma suffered by the victims, owing to Chauke’s inhuman actions. He further urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence.
The Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari-Sekhaolelo welcomed this conviction.
She applauded the state prosecutor for a successful prosecution and for bringing justice to the vulnerable victims.
