PRETORIA | In a landmark ruling, the Pretoria High Court has handed down three life sentences and an additional 226 years’ imprisonment to Leonard Lemmy Chauke, a 34-year-old Zimbabwean man convicted on 26 counts of various crimes, including rape, murder, illegal migration, kidnapping, housebreaking, escaping from jail, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and robbery.
Confirming the sentences, Ms Lumka Mahanjana, spokesperson for the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) Gauteng Division in Pretoria, revealed that Chauke was originally arrested for housebreaking and robbery and was serving a 15-year jail term.
However, he managed to escape from jail in 2020, leading to his subsequent arrest on a range of other charges.
Chauke’s crimes, committed after his escape, involved a series of violent incidents in and around Olievenhoutbosch and Wierda Park.
Alongside his accomplices, he would break into homes, rob the occupants, and brutally assault female victims, subjecting them to gang rape in nearby fields.
The youngest victim was a 17-year-old girl. On June 7, 2022, Chauke and his accomplice shot and killed a 35-year-old man at a squatter camp in Olievenhoutbosch.
During the trial, Chauke pleaded guilty to all charges and claimed that he had committed the offenses while under the influence of drugs.
He requested a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentences due to his time spent in custody since his arrest.
However, prosecutor Advocate Mokautu Masilo argued that Chauke’s lack of remorse and his attempt to attribute his actions solely to drug use demonstrated his refusal to accept responsibility.
Masilo also emphasized the heinous nature of the crimes and the meticulous planning involved, which targeted vulnerable individuals and involved threats with weapons.
Seven victim impact statements were presented to the court, detailing the emotional toll experienced by the victims.
The statements were facilitated by the Court Preparation Officer, Lebogang Lebese. Based on these statements and the prosecution’s arguments, the court was urged to impose the prescribed minimum sentence.
Judge Portia Phahlane, presiding over the case, concurred with the prosecution’s assessment, emphasizing that Chauke’s lack of remorse and the severity of his offenses warranted a strong sentence.
The judge stressed the importance of protecting law-abiding citizens from criminals like Chauke, stating that everyone has the right to life, which should not be violated. The sentence serves as a clear message that such behavior is unacceptable.
Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Sibongile Mzinyathi, commended the court’s decision and applauded the efforts of the investigating officer, Sgt Edward Matsobane, and the prosecutor in securing a just outcome for the victims and society as a whole.
