A rape victim identified her attacker three months after the incident‚ setting in motion an investigation that linked him to 17 other cases and now he is serving 25 life sentences.
Shadrack Chauke was sentenced to 25 life sentences on Tuesday by the South Gauteng High Court on 23 counts of rape and two of attempted murder.
He was also sentenced to an additional 254 years’ imprisonment on multiple other counts‚ including attempted murder‚ assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm‚ robbery and kidnapping
Chauke was spotted by a rape victim three months after the incident in December 2015. Police responded to the woman’s call and arrested Chauke who was subjected to forensic tests as part of the investigation.
The investigation successfully linked him to a total of 17 other cases that had previously been reported to the police.
Police have welcomed the sentenced imposed on Chauke.
“This sentence today will go a long way in encouraging our members to continue to prioritise the investigation of cases against women‚ children and other vulnerable groups. For the police‚ arresting a suspect is a success. But a conviction in court and multiple life sentences brings even more content‚” police said in a statement.
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