MOZAMBICAN NATIONAL SENTENCED TO LIFE AND 17 YEARS FOR MULTIPLE OFFENCES
17 September 2025
MOZAMBICAN NATIONAL SENTENCED TO LIFE AND 17 YEARS FOR MULTIPLE OFFENCES
Limpopo, South Africa – The Groblersdal Regional Court has sentenced Mozambican national King Petrus Chauke (39) to life imprisonment plus an additional 17 years for charges including the rape of a 13-year-old girl, robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, and being an illegal immigrant.
The sentencing was delivered today, 17 September 2025. The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently, resulting in an effective life sentence, and declared him unfit to possess a firearm under Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000. His name was also ordered entered into the Register of Sexual Offenders under Section 50(2) of Act 32 of 2007. Chauke pleaded not guilty but made Section 220 admissions under Act 51 of 1977 when witnesses were to testify. He admitted that on 22 September 2020, he and two unknown men targeted the complainant’s home in the Dennilton area. They pointed a firearm at her, demanded money and bank cards, and tied her and her 13-year-old daughter. Chauke and one accomplice left to withdraw money, leaving the other to guard the victims. Returning without funds, they assaulted and stabbed the complainant before taking the girl to nearby bushes, where Chauke raped her and abandoned her overnight.
DNA evidence linked him to the crimes, leading to his arrest. He was unknown to the victim. In aggravation, State Prosecutor Sifiso Miya submitted a Victim Impact Report and Pre-sentence Report, highlighting the psychological and emotional trauma suffered by the victims. The state argued that Chauke’s selfish conduct warranted severe punishment, advocating for his permanent removal from society due to his danger to others, outweighing his personal circumstances.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence. Director of Public Prosecutions Adv. Ivy Thenga stated, “These cases provide justice and closure to victims and their families while removing violent criminals from our streets.” She commended the efforts of Miya and other stakeholders in securing the conviction. Ends
Issued by:
Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Limpopo Division
Tel: 074 823 3608