The Free State Police have welcomed the life sentence handed down by the Wesselsbron Regional Court on Wednesday, 30 October 2025, to a barber who was convicted of raping four young boys.
The man was found guilty on four counts of rape involving minor boys aged 12, 13, 15, and 15. The Wesselsbron Regional Court sentenced him to life imprisonment on each count.
The crimes took place in May 2024 at the accused’s rented shack in the Malebogo township, which he used as both his residence and a hair salon. According to the evidence presented in court, the first and second victims were lured into the shack after school under the pretense of receiving a haircut. The accused then sexually assaulted both boys in a back room.
The third victim was brought to the premises by the first two victims, where he was similarly assaulted. The fourth victim, a 12-year-old nephew of the accused, was assaulted while visiting the shack.
The incidents came to light only after one of the victims confided in his teacher. None of the boys had initially reported the rapes.
Following this disclosure, four cases of rape were opened. The investigation was carried out by Warrant Officer Ntomzoto Selemogo of the Bultfontein Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit, with guidance from the National Prosecuting Authority’s Mr. Masisi.
The court ordered that the four life sentences run concurrently.
