Cape Town – One of the suspects arrested in connection with the robbery and attack of world-renowned Ndebele artist Esther Mahlangu was reportedly given bail of R3 000 by the Mdutjana Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga on Friday.
Mahlangu was left unconscious after she was physically assaulted before being robbed of her firearm and an undisclosed amount of cash late last month.
“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.
According to EWN, the suspect Jan Masilela, 32 was arrested along with an alleged accomplice Simon Skosana, 37, on Thursday after police in that province received a tip-off.
ALSO READ: Two suspects to appear in court over Esther Mahlangu’s robbery, assault
Mpumalanga police said the accomplice will be remanded in custody.
A News24 report said that Masilela was apprehended around 02:00 at Mogononong in Siyabuswa. He was found in possession of a 7.65mm pistol, with its serial number filed off.
The gun is alleged to belong to Mahlangu.
Both suspects were charged with possession of an unlawful firearm and house robbery, reported IOL.
Skosana will remain in custody until April 20 for his formal bail application, while Masilela will be back in court on May 10.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Twitter/@UlriuchJvV
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Sinothando Siyolo
