Cape Town – Police in Mpumalanga have reportedly said that Dr Esther Mahlangu “is fine but still in shock” after she was assaulted and robbed in her home at Siyabuswa near KwaMhlanga over the past weekend.
According to eNCA, police have since launched a manhunt for the robber who broke into her house.
The 87-year-old world-renowned Ndebele artist was left unsconsciuops after she was physically assaulted before being robbed of her firearm and an undisclosed amount of cash.
“Details of the robbery indicate that on the said day, the old woman, who was alone at the time, was preparing to take a nap [after] she reportedly locked all [the] doors of her house. Strangely, she noticed a man unknown to her inside the house.
“The man allegedly grabbed her and punched her in the face before tying both her hands with a cable and tried to strangle her until she reportedly became unconscious,” provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Semakaleng Manamela said in a statement.
Social media has been abuzz with pleas from the public asking the South African Police Service (SAPS) to take swift action in apprehending the alleged perpetrator who is still at large.
“This act of criminality is condemned in the strongest possible terms, and it happens when the country is commemorating Human Rights month. People who attack the elderly are heartless and have no place in society. Such acts of violence on women cannot be tolerated. As a department responsible for the creative industry, we are confident that justice will be served in the arrest and conviction of the heartless criminals,” City Press quoted Mpumalanga Culture, Sport and Recreation MEC Thandi Shongwe as saying.
According to SAHistory, Dr Mahlangu’s work is featured in collections all over the globe, including South Africa, United States, Japan, Germany, as well as France.
Her accolades include the prestigious Order of Ikhamanga, Mpumalanga Arts and Culture Award, an award from the French Ministry of Culture, two awards from Radio Ndebele, and a variety of accolades from abroad.
Here are some of the reactions on social media
The Esther Mahlangu news is such a brazen statement of how debased we’ve allowed ourselves to become as a society, how far we’ve strayed from our values, conscience and hope for better selves, i fear we are at our worst ?, aaargh! Dear God!
— Bonnie Mbuli (@BonnieMbuli) March 22, 2022
The brutal attack on Dr Gogo Esther Mahlangu is shameful to say the least. Weren’t we all taught that the elderly are living ancestors and must be treated as such?
Yet another time to reflect and remember the teachings of Mother Africa. Asenzi kahle ndlu Emnyama! Asenzi kahle?
— Sanda Radebe (@Simply_Sanda20) March 21, 2022
Esther Mahlangu is 87 and is a renowned SA artist. In a home invasion she was punched in the face, tied up and strangled until she was unconscious. She’s lucky just to be alive. How did it get to a point where this shocking conduct is no longer surprising?
— Joburg lawyer (@joburglawyer) March 21, 2022
Sending love and prayers to Dr. Esther Mahlangu and her family. Wishing you a speedy recovery gogo Mahlangu. ❤️
— Nkanyezi (@NkanyeziKubheka) March 21, 2022
Horrific of attack on Esther Mahlangu. It’s part of a trend of targeting of elderly people, esp women. Back home,yet another elderly woman in her 80s was robbed, raped and murdered last Dec. There’re many others. Now,this grisly attack on internationally renowned Mam’uEsther. ?
— Nomboniso Gasa (@nombonisogasa) March 21, 2022
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Picture: Facebook/ Esther Mahlangu
Compiled by Odwa Shumi
