On Wednesday, 10 December 2025, the Thohoyandou High Court sentenced 25-year-old Tlhandluko Gift Chauke to 25 years imprisonment for murder.
Chauke, from Gawula Village in the Giyani policing area, killed his 20-year-old girlfriend, Miranda Chauke.
The court heard that on 09 January 2024, Chauke accused the deceased of infidelity and invited a friend, Renneisence Kulani Chauke, to help discipline her. The following day, 10 January 2024, the pair assaulted Miranda Chauke at her home, then took her to nearby bushes where they continued the assault and strangled her.
On 11 January 2024, Tlhandluko Gift Chauke reported the killing to police, led them to the body in the bushes, and was arrested. The investigating officer, Constable Nhlalala Shilenge, secured the arrest of the accomplice days later.
Neither accused was granted bail. Tlhandluko Gift Chauke pleaded guilty and received the 25-year sentence. Renneisence Kulani Chauke did not plead guilty; his trial is set for 06 March 2026.
