A hairdresser in Hertzogville, Free State, has been convicted of raping four boys aged 12, 13 and 15.
Tshepo Godfrey Letshabo operated from a rented hut, divided into a drawing room and a bedroom.
He lured his victims with offers of free haircuts.
Free State National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the first two victims were spoken to one by one.
“After cutting a boy’s hair, he dragged him into the bedroom for sexual acts. The second victim was also raped.”
He then had them get a third victim. “Unknowingly he was pulled in and raped.”
She said the fourth victim was called into the room “and forced to perform sexual acts” during a visit to the salon.
“Fear and shame silenced the boys until one confronted the other, exposing the crimes. Police were notified and Letshabo was arrested. The victims bravely testified.”
Letshabo was this week sentenced to four life sentences, to be served concurrently, and his name will be placed on the National Sex Offenders Register.
“The NPA remains committed to holding child predators accountable. Sexual violence deprives victims of their dignity and privacy. The NPA is fighting back hard, and this sentence warns that atrocities against minors will be met with unrelenting justice,” Senokoatsane said.
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