The Hennenman Regional Court has sentenced Katleho Kganare (40) to 46 years’ imprisonment for a series of violent crimes, including rape, attempted murder, and the assault of an infant.

Kganare’s crimes span incidents between 2022 and 2025, demonstrating a pattern of gender-based violence (GBV) and domestic abuse.

In February 2025, Kganare forced his way into the home of his ex-girlfriend’s current partner. Armed with a knife, he threatened to kill the couple before stabbing his ex-girlfriend multiple times.

He forced the victims to perform sexual acts at knifepoint, raped his ex-girlfriend in front of her partner, and video-called his friends to broadcast the assault. He distributed images and videos of the attack online.

Kganare linked to multiple older cases.

In November 2022, he held a knife to his one-year-old child’s throat to prevent the mother from leaving him. Police intervened and rescued the child.

In a separate 2022 incident at a restaurant in Ventersburg, Kganare stabbed his girlfriend and a friend with a broken bottle during an altercation.

In 2023, he punched his then-girlfriend in the face while she was holding their 11-month-old baby. He then turned on the infant, causing severe facial injuries and swelling, later telling the police that he “wished the child could die”.

The accused pleaded guilty to all counts.

The court sentenced him as follows:

■ housebreaking with intent to murder and attempted murder – 15 years;

■ attempt to commit a sexual offence – 7 years (3 years suspended for 5 years);

■ sexual intimidation – 3 years;

■ rape – 10 years;

■ harmful disclosure of pornography – 3 years;

■ assault – 5 years (3 years suspended for 5 years); and

■ assault – 3 years (wholly suspended for 5 years).

The court ordered several sentences to run concurrently. Kganare will serve an effective 20 years of direct imprisonment.

The investigation was conducted by WO Mia Engelbrecht of the Thabong Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit and WO Xolani Madalane of Hennenman Detective, working with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) prosecutor Ms Labuschagne.

The Free State Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection, Maj. Gen. Apaphia Modise, said the prosecution sends a strong message.

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