A 30-YEAR-OLD MALE HASANI BENNETT CHAUKE SENTENCED TO EIGHTEEN YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR RAPE AND CONTRAVENTION OF IMMIGRATION ACT

On Thursday, 13 February 2025, Mokopane Regional Court sentenced a 30-year-old male accused, Hasani Bennett Chauke to eighteen years imprisonment for raping a 25-year-old victim, contravention of the Immigration Act and resisting arrest.




The court noted that on Saturday, 21 October 2023, at about 21h00, the 25-year-old victim was at Boiza tavern with her partner when her ex-boyfriend found her at the tavern and became jealous, then dragged the victim away from the partner and held her with her hand. The altercation started when the boyfriend refused. The accused followed the victim as she fled home. He physically assaulted her and forcefully dragged her to his place and thereafter raped her.

The victim’s mother came to her rescue, and the suspect ran away.



The incident was reported to the police, a rape case was opened and transferred to Mokopane Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offenses Unit for further investigations.

The suspect was traced, but fled and resisted an arrest until reasonable force to overcome resistance was applied by police who then ultimately arrested him.




The bail was successfully opposed until he was found guilty and sentenced as follows:

Count 1; Rape -15 years imprisonment
Count 2: Contravention of Immigration Act —2 years imprisonment
Count 3: Resisting arrest – 1 year imprisonment.



The Provincial Commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has welcomed the sentencing and commended the investigating officer and the team for their unwavering efforts to ensure that justice is served to the victims.