ANC pays tribute to Solomon Mahlangu – who was he?

The African National Congress (ANC) is commemorating the death of Solomon Mahlangu, who was active in the struggle and was hanged at Pretoria Central Prison, now known as Kgosi Mampuru on 6 April in 1979.

Mahlangu joined the ANC in 1976, and left the country to train and become a member of the Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the ruling party’s armed military wing. He received his military training in Angola and Mozambique.

Mahlangu returned to the country as a cadre, heavily armed, through Swaziland to assist with student protests.

“My blood will nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of freedom. Tell my people that I love them. They must continue the fight.”

Solomon Mahlangu, ANC apartheid struggle activist

Why was Solomon Mahlangu hanged?

Just two days after arriving back in the country, Solomon Mahlangu’s life would change forever as and he and his two friends, Mondy J Motloung and George Mahlangu, were accosted by police in Goch Street, Johannesburg. Mahlangu (George) managed to escape from the authorities however the remaining two young men (Solomon Mahlangu and Mondy Motloung) were both arrested.

His trial lasted between November 1977 and March 1978. Mahlangu was then charged in connection with the attack. He faced two counts of murder and several charges under the Terrorism Act. Mahlangu pleaded not guilty to the charges. His council stated that he entered South Africa in June 1977 as part of a group of ten, bringing arms, ammunition, explosives and ANC pamphlets into the country.

According to SA History Online, Motloung was declared unfit to stand trial as he had been severely beaten and suffered brain damage. The judge had accepted that Motloung was responsible for the actual killings.

“However, as common purpose had been formed, Mahlangu was therefore found guilty on two counts of murder and three charges under the Terrorism Act. He was sentenced to death by hanging on 2 March 1978”

“On 15 June 1978 Solomon Mahlangu was refused leave to appeal his sentence by the Rand Supreme Court, and on 24 July 1978 he was refused again in the Bloemfontein Appeal Court. Although various governments, the United Nations, international organizations, groups and prominent individuals attempted to intercede on his behalf, Mahlangu awaited his execution in Pretoria Central Prison, and died on 6 April 1979”