The Pretoria High Court has handed down a life sentence to Conwell Mongezi Chauke (34), from Loftus Gardens, for the brutal murder of 11-year-old Khothatso Welhelmina Tshabalala. Chauke also received a six-year sentence for kidnapping, with both sentences ordered to run concurrently. In addition, the court declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
The Crime and Arrest of Chauke
On December 29, 2020, Chauke, a prayer group member and prayer partner of the victim’s mother, made a threatening phone call to her while she was at work. Chauke was angered by her refusal to meet him the day before, interpreting it as rejection, as he was pursuing a romantic relationship with her.
Later that day, Chauke traveled to Mamelodi East, where the mother lived with her children. He found Khothatso playing outside with her younger sister and a neighbor’s child.
Under the pretense of needing to retrieve belongings from their home, Chauke lured Khothatso inside, where he stabbed her 66 times before covering her body with linen on the bed and fleeing the scene.
When neighbors couldn’t find Khothatso, they searched the house and tragically discovered her lifeless body. Police were called, and two days later, on December 31, 2020, Chauke surrendered himself at the Lyttleton Police Station, where he has remained in custody since.
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Court Proceedings and Sentencing of Chauke
During the trial, Chauke denied kidnapping Khothatso, admitting only to the murder, which he claimed was driven by his anger towards the child’s mother.
However, the prosecution, led by Advocate Sipho Lalane, presented evidence proving the kidnapping, which resulted in Chauke’s conviction.
Despite Chauke’s plea for the court to consider the three years he spent in custody awaiting trial, and his previous convictions being non-violent, the court found no grounds for leniency.
Advocate Lalane emphasized the severity of the crime, noting that Chauke showed no remorse, only regret, for his actions. He further argued that the murder of a defenseless child, driven by rejection, exemplified Chauke’s danger to society.
The court also heard two powerful Victim Impact Statements (VIS). The mother of the deceased expressed how the loss of her child has left her psychologically devastated, stating that Chauke took away her best friend.
The deceased’s younger sister spoke of her loneliness and the decline in her school performance since her sister’s death, highlighting the emotional toll the crime has had on the family.
Judge Jacobus Johannes Strijdom, in delivering the sentence, agreed with the state’s arguments. He underscored that Chauke’s merciless actions in stabbing the child 66 times not only violated her constitutional right to life but also demonstrated his threat to society. \
Judge Strijdom emphasized that it is the court’s responsibility to protect society from individuals like Chauke, and therefore, the prescribed minimum sentence was warranted.
NPA’s Reaction to Chauke’s Sentence
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the life sentence, expressing hope that it will serve as a strong warning to others committing violent crimes against women and children. The NPA remains committed to ensuring that such offenders have no place in society.
Chauke’s life sentence for the horrific murder of young Khothatso Tshabalala sends a clear message about the seriousness of crimes against children and the legal system’s determination to bring justice to the most vulnerable in society.
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