A life term imprisonment was imposed by the Malamulele Regional court against a 29 year-old male accused convicted of assault grievous bodily harm (GBH) and attempted murder charge on Wednesday 31 July 2024.
On Thursday 20 April 2023, Wisani Chauke, a resident at Mafanele village under Malamulele policing area departed to visit a 21 year-old mother of his child believed to his girlfriend at her residence.
The court geared that couple had a heated argument about infidelities that resulted in the accused assaulting the victim until she was rescued by one of the family members who rushed her to the local hospital for medical attention.
Chauke managed to flee the scene and a case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm was opened at the local police station following the incident.
The accused went on hiding until he returned on 16 May 2023 to search for the victim that he met on the way while returning to attend school lessons. A 21 year-old was brutally assaulted and stabbed with a sharp object and left unconscious.
The accused also again managed to flee the scene and the victim was rushed to the local hospital by the School Principal for another medical treatment.
While admitted at the facility, the Medical Personnel were compelled to remove one of her severely injured eye as a result.
A case docket of an attempted murder was opened and assigned to Warrant Officer Thanyani Albert Bakela attached to Malamulele Detectives Unit for further investigation.
The determination and sterling investigative abilities executed by Warrant Officer Bakela persuaded the accused to hand himself over at Saselamani police station within two days of the incident on 18 May 2023.
Bail was successfully opposed by the dedicated member until Wisani Chauke was found guilty and subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment.
“Individuals like this perpetrator deserve to be ostracized from the society due to their inhumane attitude towards defenceless and vulnerable citizens in Limpopo province,” concluded the Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.
