SERIAL RAPIST PRIEST SENTENCED TO TWO LIFE TERMS FOR RAPE AND MURDER
The High Court of South Africa: North West Division sentenced Lucas Chauke (50, to two life terms for murder and rape and a cumulative 30 years on two other counts of murder and rape. He was also verified as a Zimbabwean national, who was illegal in the country. The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm. Chauke’s murder emanates from an incident that occurred on 08 October 20217 in Temba, wherein he met a 53-year-old woman known to him, as he was known to be a priest in the area. He then took her to a secluded place near a dam, under the pretence of assisting her with her spirituality.
Upon arrival, he repeatedly raped her and subsequently tied her to a tree, before fleeing the scene. After a while, she managed to untie herself and ran to ask for help, she managed to report the incident to the police, who then started searching for the suspect. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape.
In a separate incident that occurred on 10 May 2018, he took a 55-year-old woman to the same secluded area next to the dam and raped her and tied her to a tree before fleeing the scene. Her decomposed body was later discovered still tied to the tree, as she was unable to set herself free. He was sentenced to life for murder and a further 15 years for rape.
On 03 August 2018, he took another 55-year-old woman to the same place and attempted to rape her, but seemingly failed. He then tied her to a tree and left her to die. He was sentenced to 15 years for murder. Chauke was eventually arrested, and he was linked through DNA specimens to all other incidents.
In aggravation of sentence, the state prosecutor, Adv Benny Kalakgosi, urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, as the offences committed were serious. He further argued that Chauke took advantage of unsuspecting women, who trusted him as a priest but instead he took advantage of their vulnerability. Judge Frances Snyman, agreed with the state and described Chauke’s actions as horrific and further alluded to the trust that he abused towards women who held him high.
The Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari Sekhaolelo< lauded the prosecutor and the investigation team from the SAPS for a successful conviction. “We welcome this conviction, especially at a time when we are reflecting on the plight of women during the 16 Days of Activism. This fight needs to be activated 365 to be victorious against this scourge”, she concluded.
