Ndebele painter Esther Mahlangu has been struggling to sleep after she was attacked in her Mpumalanga home.
Mahlangu, 87, was attacked by an unknown man on Friday afternoon while she was alone and about to take a nap in her home in Mthambothini village near Siyabuswa, Mpumalanga.
Her long-time manager, Isaac Mokwana, said Mahlangu was in the house when she came across a man who had somehow gained entry and tried to tie her hands with an extension cord.
“She had just had lunch and was preparing to take a nap and had made sure all the doors were locked when she was attacked inside her home,” Mokwana said.
Her attacker apparently did not utter a word while he hit Mahlangu in the face and tried to subdue her and stop her from screaming, before running off with her safe, all the cash Mahlangu kept in her house and her firearm, Mokwana said.
He said the man also took all Mahlangu’s house keys before escaping on foot.
“The safe had gogo’s licensed firearm and all the money she kept on her,” Mokwana said.
According to Mpumalanga police, Mahlangu was allegedly grabbed and punched in the face before both her hands were tied. The intruder tried to strangle her until she became unconscious.
It was only when one of Mahlangu’s great-grandsons returned home later in the afternoon that Mokwana and other family members learnt about the incident, which happened at about 2.30pm.
Mokwana said Mahlangu was struggling to come to terms with the attack and was showing signs of being uneasy.
“She’s a bit restless, especially in the evenings. Maybe it’s because the incident is very fresh,” Mokwana said.
He said they felt targeted as he was attacked and kidnapped by robbers who took his bank cards and cleaned him out four years ago.
“When those people kidnapped me, they told me they know a lot about what we [Mokwana and Mahlangu] do,” he said.
Mahlangu’s home, which has been painted in Ndebele artwork, is often a hive of activity with tourists interested in Ndebele art.
Mpumalanga police said they have launched a manhunt.
Police spokesperson Brig Selvy Mohlala said: “Details of the robbery indicate that on the day, the old woman was alone at the time.
“The old lady reported she cannot recall what happened after the attack. When she regained consciousness, she realised her house was ransacked and her firearm and money were stolen from the safe,” said Mohlala.
“Police urge anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspect to call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous,” said Mohlala.
Provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Semakaleng Manamela said: “It is shameful to hear our senior citizens are being targeted by heartless criminals who show no mercy.”
“On March 20 a pensioner was strangled in Delmas. This cannot be allowed to continue unabated.”
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