Dr. Esther Mahlangu: Here is the latest on the two men accused of the brutal attack

What is the latest on the two men accused of attacking and assaulting the 81-year-old Ndebele artist Dr. Esther Mahlangu in her home earlier this year? 

DR. ESTER MAHLANGU WAS ATTACKED AND ASSAULTED IN HER HOME

According to the police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, one of the accused, a 27-year-old, has been remanded in custody until 26 April 2022 for a formal bail application at Mdutjana Magistrate’s Court in Siyabuswa. 

“This is after he has changed his mind that he now requests a legal representation from Legal Aid.” 

Mohlala said the second accused; a 32-year-old man is still out on R3000 bail. He will be back in court on 10 May.

Both men were arrested earlier this month. 

SHE WAS PUNCHED AND STRANGLED UNTIL SHE LOST CONSCIOUSNESS

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.

“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,” Mohlala said. 

Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Tsipane-Mtsweni visited Dr. Esther Mahlangu at her home in Siyabuswa.  

MAHLANGU FOUND COMFORT IN THE ARRESTS OF HER ATTACKERS

“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.

“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 had made off with her firearm and money, which was kept in a safe. The intruder also ransacked her home.

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