Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. Zimbabwean-born pastor Solomon Mhlanga and his son, Enoch, were on Monday, 24 November 2025, each handed a life sentence by the Witbank Regional Court in South Africa. Mhlanga’s wife, Poppy, received a three-year jail term for kidnapping.
The three were convicted on Friday, 21 November, of attempted murder, kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice.
Their convictions stem from a brutal attack in March 2024, when they accused Dumisani Mahlangu of stealing batteries and other items from their church and then chopped off his hands.
Mahlangu had been walking along Kroomdraai Road towards Extension 16 in Vosman when the trio allegedly pointed a firearm at him, bundled him into a bakkie, and drove him to a bushy area with his hands and feet tied.
Once there, they set the vehicle alight, cut a branch from a tree, placed his hands on it and used a machete to hack them off.
Speaking to Daily Sun, Mahlangu said he can now sleep peacefully knowing his attackers will be behind bars for a very long time. He said:
“I couldn’t sleep at night, always thinking about these people. I feel better now that they are sentenced, and I’ll sleep peacefully. I’m satisfied with the sentences imposed on them, I am happy.”
Mahlangu’s father, Johannes Mahlangu, said there is nothing that can change Dumisani’s situation and urged others not to take the law into their own hands. He said:
“The devil led this man to do what he did. I’m happy the court gave him what he deserves. It was fair.
“I’m happy, but not with everything because I still have to take care of his needs since he cannot do anything for himself. That’s what breaks me the most.”
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