BARBERSHOP OWNER SENTENCED TO FOUR LIFE TERMS FOR RAPING YOUNG BOYS

03 November 2025

BARBERSHOP OWNER SENTENCED TO FOUR LIFE TERMS FOR RAPING YOUNG BOYS

Hertzogville, Free State – The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Free State applauds Regional Court Prosecutor Mojela Masisi, Court Preparation Officer Nono Sebego, and Investigating Officer Warrant Officer Selemogo after the Wesselsbron Regional Court sentenced Tshepo Godfrey Letshabo to life imprisonment on four counts of rape involving boys aged 12, 13, and 15. The sentencing was delivered today, 03 November 2025.

Letshabo operated a salon from a rented shack in Hertzogville, divided into a salon and a bedroom. He lured victims with free haircuts: Victims 1 & 2: After trimming one boy’s hair, he dragged him into the bedroom for sexual acts; the second was witnessed through a gap before being violated. Victim 3: Fetched by the first two, unaware, he was pulled in and raped. Victim 4 (12, related): Called into the room during a visit and forced into sexual acts. Fear and shame silenced the boys until one confronted another, exposing the crimes. Police were notified, and Letshabo was arrested. The victims testified courageously.

Prosecutor Masisi submitted Victim Impact Statements for all four, arguing that Letshabo was a dangerous predator targeting vulnerable children. The court-imposed life imprisonment per count (concurrent), entered his name into the National Register for Sex Offenders, and declared him unsuitable to work with children.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) remains committed to holding child predators accountable. Sexual violence strips victims of dignity and privacy. The NPA fights back hard, and this sentence warns that atrocities against minors will face unrelenting justice.

Issued by:

Mojalefa Senokoatsane

NPA Regional Spokesperson

Free State Division

Email: MSenokoatsane@npa.gov.za

Tel: 073 423 3539