Esther Mahlangu robbery: Suspects due in court on Friday

At least two men are expected to make an appearance at the Mdutjana Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga on Friday, 8 April 2022, in connection with the robbery and attack of Ndebele artist Dr Esther Mahlangu.

Mpumalanga police confirmed that the men, aged 32 and 37, were arrested on Thursday. Mahlangu was attacked by an intruder at her home in March, who assaulted her – punching and strangling her until she lost consciousness, then stealing her firearm and an undisclosed amount of cash from her safe.

Police had offered a R50 000 reward for information that would lead to the arrests of the suspects, but this didn’t yield any results. Police spokesperson Selvy Mohlala said they took in seven people for questioning, but five of them couldn’t be linked to the incident and were subsequently released.

“The suspects were arrested through dedication shown by our investigators. They pounced on the first suspect around 02:00 at Mogononong in Siyabuswa. He was found in possession of a 7.65mm pistol, with its serial number filed off

“The firearm was hidden in the toilet cistern, wrapped with a plastic bag. He then pointed to the second person, who allegedly sold him the gun. The second person claimed he bought it from the third person, who pointed out a fourth person claiming he sold him the gun”

Police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala

YOU CAN ALSO READ: Shameful! Ndebele artist Esther Mahlangu BEATEN in home invasion

ROBBERY HAD A ‘PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT’ ON MAHLANGU

Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Tsipane-Mtsweni visited Dr Esther Mahlangu at her home in Siyabuswa on Thursday and said the attack and robbery has had quite the effect on her.

“It had a psychological effect on her. What is of comfort to her is that justice has been done and she is surrounded by family members. As we were briefing her on developments she had a sense of relief that something was being done,” the premier said.

Tsipane-Mtsweni added that Mahlangu even wants to go to the court proceedings on Friday.

“She was excited when hearing that her alleged attackers had been arrested. Mahlangu would love to see the suspects in court because she didn’t have the opportunity to see the main perpetrator when he attacked her,” she said.

Mahlangu doesn’t recall what happened after she was physically attacked, but when she regained consciousness, realised that the attacker made off with her firearm and money which was kept in a safe. The intruder also ransacked her home.