'Heist king' Chauke dies cuffed
2003-11-22 08:30
Christel Raubenheimer
Pretoria - One of South Africa's most notorious criminals, Collen Chauke, was found dead early on Friday morning still handcuffed to his hospital bed - even although he could no longer walk.
At one time South Africa's most wanted cash-in-transit robber, Chauke, died of "unknown causes".
A former detective, who was involved in Chauke's original investigation, told Beeld newspaper the prisoner probably died of an HIV/Aids-related illness.
He said Chauke was moved from C-Max prison in Pretoria to Kalafong Hospital about 10 days ago.
Chauke had made two daring escapes from police custody before he was sent to prison.
According to him, Chauke had refused to have an HIV test.
"When I last saw him, a few months ago, he was emaciated and weak," said the former detective.
Chauke was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2001 after being found guilty of robbing the SBV security company of R12.6m in 1997.
Two warders guarded Chauke at all times while he was in hospital and only unlocked his handcuffs after he was declared dead.
His fingerprints were also apparently taken after he died so as to make sure the body was indeed that of Collen Chauke.
- Beeld