Revered creative designer Esther Mahlangu was the victim of a nightmare ordeal at her home in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga.
What happened to Esther Mahlangu?
In a statement, police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala confirmed the 87-year-old was subjected to a vicious invasion, allegedly by a male suspect who had slipped into her home on the afternoon of Saturday 19 March 2022.
According to police, Mahlangu was preparing to take a nap and, on her way to closing the doors of her house, “she noticed a man unknown to her inside the house.”
“The man then allegedly grabbed her and punched her in the face before tying both her hands with a cable and tried to strangle her until she became unconscious,” the statement read.
Fortunately, Mahlangu’s life was spared and the 87-year-old awoke from her daze and immediately sought help.
What we know about the suspect
At this time, police have escalated efforts to track down the man who infiltrated the 87-year-old woman’s house and made off with her licensed firearm and cash.
At the top of investigators’ priorities is determining if there are any links between Mahlangu and the perpetrator. For police, it will surely be interesting that the man was able to access the contents held inside her safe.
At this juncture, authorities have yet to make arrests and pleas have been made to the public for any information on a male who may have recently brandished a newly acquired firearm and a lump sum of cash in the KwaMhlanga area and Mpumalanga surrounds.
Mahlangu has received minor medical treatment and is in the care of her family. According to police, she “sustained some bruises on her face.”
“The matter was reported to the police at Siyabuswa whereby a house robbery case was opened hence the manhunt,” Brigadier Mohlala noted.