Parolee Prayer Kgatle Gets Life Plus 49 Years For Pretoria Child Rape And Assault

The North Gauteng High Court has delivered a severe sentence to 30-year-old parolee Prayer Kgatle, handing him life imprisonment plus an additional 49 years for a horrific crime spree that targeted a child.

Kgatle was found guilty of raping an 11-year-old girl at the Anlin residential complex in Pretoria in 2023.

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The court detailed that Kgatle received a 15-year jail term for housebreaking with intent to rape, 12 years for housebreaking, 12 years for robbery, and 10 years for sexual assault. These sentences will run consecutively to the life term.

In a further measure, the court ordered his name to be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders. The ruling formally declares him unfit to work with children or to ever possess a firearm.

Details of Prayer Kgatle Pretoria Apartment Complex Attack

The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, outlined the chilling sequence of events. “On 18 October 2023, the parolee who had similar convictions of similar cases broke into an apartment complex.

“He robbed it, then entered another apartment where he sexually assaulted and raped a 12-year-old girl inside. He was chased and apprehended the same day.”

The NPA revealed that Kgatle, who was on parole for previous similar convictions, pleaded for leniency during court proceedings. However, prosecutors pushed for the harshest possible penalty.

NPA Secures Maximum Sentence for Repeat Offender

“In court, he asked for leniency, but the NPA argued for a life sentence in respect of the rape charge. And a minimum prescribed sentence in respect of the other charges,” Mahanjana stated.

The court ultimately agreed with the prosecution’s argument for a life term for the rape charge and minimum sentences for the additional crimes.

The successful prosecution drew praise from senior legal figures. Mahanjana added, “Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in Gauteng, Advocate Marika Jansen Van Vuuren, commended the work of the prosecution.”

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