Africa-Press – South-Africa. Residents and civil society organisations in KwaNdebele, Mpumalanga, have accused law enforcement authorities of denying internationally-acclaimed Ndebele artist Dr Esther Mahlangu justice by allegedly delaying solving her robbery case.
Mahlangu, 88, was robbed and attacked at her home in Weltevrede near Siyabuswa on 19 March last year, Mpumalanga provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said at the time.
He said Mahlangu was assaulted and choked during the robbery, and her hands tied with a cord. Mohlala also said the attacker then searched her bedroom and took a safe containing her licensed pistol and an undisclosed amount of money. He also took bundles of keys before fleeing the scene.
Two men, Simon Kgantsi Sikhosana and Jan Masilela, were arrested in April last year in connection with the attack. Masilela was released on R3 000 bail, while Sikhosana was freed in October after the case was removed from the court’s roll to allow the police to conduct further investigations.
Elias Mahlangu, the secretary of Vulamehlo Kusile Organisation, described the delay as a bad experience, saying his organisation had expected the police to prioritise and solve the case last year.
“This is bad because Mahlangu is very old, and the fact that she was attacked at her home makes it worse,” said Elias Mahlangu, unrelated to the famous artist.
“Our criminal justice system has a serious problem.”
Thabo Mtsweni, who is the chairperson of Democracy In Action, told News24 that his group was disappointed by the delay.
Siyabuswa resident Pinkie Mashiyane appealed to the police and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to reinstate the case and finalise it.
“The police and the NPA are denying Granny Mahlangu justice by delaying this case,” said Mashiyane.
“Granny Mahlangu has put our Ndebele culture and language on the world map through her artistic paintings. I want justice for her.”
KwaMhlanga resident Amos Mynakeni said the police should provide an update about the case.
“Esther Mahlangu is our beloved grandmother, [for] all of us here in KwaNdebele,” said Myankeni.
The spokesperson for the NPA in Mpumalanga, Monica Nyuswa, told News24 that an unnamed magistrate removed the case from the court roll on 20 October last year. She said this was a result of the slow pace of the investigation.
“The prosecution requested the police to investigate further. It is incorrect that the NPA is to blame for the delay,” said Nyuswa.
Mpumalanga provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli told News24 the matter had been referred to senior officers within the detective services environment.
“The senior officers will look into the reasons for the delay on the side of the investigating officer,” said Mdhluli.
“If it is found that there is negligence or malicious intention on the side of the investigating officer, I believe that the normal internal investigation will be instituted.”
News24 went to Esther Mahlangu’s home in Weltevrede last month to ask for her comment.
A man at the gate, who refused to be identified, said Mahlangu wasn’t speaking to the media.
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