A 25 year-old male murderer, Tlhandluko Gift Chauke, a resident at Gawula village under Giyani policing area was lashed with 25 year imprisonment by the Thohoyandou High court on Wednesday 10 December 2025 following the killing of a 20 year-old girlfriend.
Limpopo Policespokesperson Lt Col Malesela Ledwaba said it was on 9 January 2024, Tlhandluko invited a male friend, Renneisence Kulani Chauke whose age is still to be determined in assisting with disciplining Miranda Chauke, (now deceased) after being accused of infidelity.
The following day on 10 January 2024, the accused and his accomplice allegedly assaulted Miranda Chauke while at her residence and took her to the near bushes afterward.
On arrival, the duo continued to assault the victim and also further strangled her to death and later fled the scene on foot.
Following the incident, on 11 January 2024, the accused shamelessly went to local police to report that they killed his girlfriend who was left in the bushes at the same village.
Police together with the accused rushed to the vicinity and found the lifeless body of a 20 year-old female victim and he was immediately arrested on the spot for a murder charge.
The matter was assigned to Constable Nhlalala Shilenge who enthusiastically commenced with the investigations that led to an arrest of his accomplice a few days after the incident.
The two were never granted bail until Tlhandluko Gift Chauke pleaded guilty and was handed a 25 years imprisonment sentencing for the murder offense.
However, Renneisence Kulani Chauke did not plead guilty and his case was postponed to next year 6 March 2026 for trial.