Pastor gets double life sentence plus two 15-year terms for rape and murder of women

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Pastor gets double life sentence plus two 15-year terms for rape and murder of women
Pastor gets double life sentence plus two 15-year terms for rape and murder of women

Africa-Press – South-Africa. The North West High Court has sentenced a 50-year-old pastor to two life terms behind bars and two 15-year jail terms for rape and murder.

Lucas Chauke, 50, was sentenced on Monday for the crimes, which were committed in 2017 and 2018 in Temba in the North West.

According to North West National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Henry Mamothame, Chauke’s first victim was a 53-year-old woman.

He said Chauke pretended that he would assist the woman with her spirituality and took her to a secluded place near to a dam.

“Upon arrival, he repeatedly raped her and subsequently tied her to a tree before fleeing the scene,” Mamothame said.

The woman managed to untie herself and ran to seek help. She reported the incident to the police, who then started searching for Chauke.

On 10 May the following year, Chauke pounced on his second victim – a 55-year-old woman.

He took her to the same secluded area next to the dam, raped her and tied her to a tree before fleeing. This time his victim was unable to free herself.

Her decomposed body was later found, still tied to the tree, Mamothame said. His third victim was targeted months later, on 3 August, in the same area.

According to Mamothame, Chauke attempted to rape her but failed.

“He then tied her to a tree and left her to die,” he said. Chauke was charged in connection with her murder.

He was linked to the crimes via DNA.

In aggravation of his sentence, State advocate Benny Kalakgosi urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentences, saying that the offences Chauke had committed were serious.

“He further argued that Chauke took advantage of unsuspecting women, who trusted him as a pastor but instead, [he] took advantage of their vulnerability,” Mamothame said.

Judge Frances Snyman agreed with the State and described Chauke’s actions as horrific.

The judge also alluded to the position of trust that he abused, Mamothame said.

Chauke was sentenced to life for the rape of the first victim, 15 years for the rape of the second victim and life for her murder, as well as 15 years for her murder. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

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