Notorious serial rapist and murderer arrested in Chipinge and Chimanimani

End of reign of terror: Notorious serial rapist and murderer arrested in Chipinge and Chimanimani

In a development that comes as a huge relief to the women of Chipinge and Chimanimani, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has announced the arrest of Daniel Chauke (62) in connection with a series of murder and rape cases.

In addition to the gruesome rape and murder incidents, Chauke was also arrested for a cattle theft that occurred in the two regions between April 2022 and May 2024.

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How the notorious serial rapist and murderer was arrested in Chipinge and Chimanimani

Chauke was initially arrested on 27 May 2024 for cattle theft and taken to Chipinge ZRP station. During a search, investigators discovered various women’s clothing, a mobile phone and a machete hidden in a sack and a bag.

The items seized matched the description of goods stolen on 26 May 2024 from a bush area along the Usanga-Bangazani Road in Chipinge, where 45-year-old Cylia Maponese was brutally murdered. After questioning, Chauke confessed to raping and killing Cylia and stealing her mobile phone, cash and clothes.

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Horrifying details emerge when a dangerous suspect is taken into custody

In a statement released on Tuesday, police said Chauke is also the prime suspect in a murder case in October last year in which a 54-year-old woman was raped and killed in Chikwanda village, Usanga town, Chipinge. He is also being investigated in another murder case in April 2024 in which a 32-year-old woman was raped and killed in Matakanyi village, Chimanimani.

Worryingly, Chauke is also linked to seven separate rape cases that occurred in the Chipinge area between April 2022 and April 2024.

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