Cape Town – Mpumalanga police reportedly arrested two suspects aged 32 and 37 on Thursday, in relation to renowned Ndebele artist Esther Mahlangu’s robbery.
According to EWN, police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said that the two men arrested were among seven people who were initially taken in for questioning.
However, the other five were later released after they could not be linked to the attack.
The two were set to appear in court on Friday, the report said.
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“The suspects were arrested through dedication shown by our investigators. They pounced on the first suspect around 02:00 at Mogononong in Siyabuswa. He was found in possession of a 7.65mm pistol, with its serial number filed off…He then pointed to the second person, who allegedly sold him the gun. The second person claimed he bought it from the third person, who pointed out a fourth person claiming he sold him the gun.
“The fourth person, confessed to breaking into Mahlangu’s house, taking away the safe containing cash and a firearm,” News24 quoted Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Tsipane-Mtsweni as saying.
The renowned Ndebele artist was left unconscious after she was physically assaulted before being robbed of her firearm and an undisclosed amount of cash late last month.
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“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.
The incident drew much criticism from the public. Police launched a manhunt for the suspects.
According to Times Live, a R50 000 reward was also offered to anyone who could provide information about the robbery.
The two suspects are expected to appear in Mdutjana Magistrate’s Court on Friday on charges of possessing an unlawful firearm and house robbery.
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Picture: Facebook/ Esther Mahlangu
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Compiled by Sinothando Siyolo
