Man attacks family, kills three, days before Christmas

A massive manhunt was launched by police on Wednesday in the Siyabuswa area near KwaMhlanga, with police tracking down and arresting the alleged attacker in a single day.

The 29-year-old man, Steve Mahlangu, has been charged with three counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of rape, one count of kidnapping and another for arson.

He appeared in the Mdutjana Magistrate’s Court today, December 24 and the case was postponed to Wednesday, December 30 for a formal bail application.

Mahlangu has been remanded in custody.

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According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Captain Donald Mdluhli, the series of tragic events started when Mahlangu allegedly kidnapped a 35-year-old woman on Tuesday evening.

Armed with a knife, he allegedly demanded cash from the woman and when she told him she had no money, he grabbed her cellphone and forced her into some nearby bushes.

He then allegedly forced the woman to drink an unknown chemical, abandoning her in the bushes before making his way to her home where her family was waiting for her.

Upon arrival at the family home, Mahlangu allegedly began stabbing the woman’s family members, killing her 41-year-old brother, her eight-year-old son and a 16-year-old visitor.

He also allegedly raped the woman’s five-year-old daughter before stabbing her and another visitor who is 11 years old.

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Mdhluli said Mahlangu allegedly then set the house alight and fled the scene.

He said the 35-year-old woman eventually made it home on Wednesday morning and found her brother and son dead, and her daughter was in a critical condition.

The police and paramedics were notified and upon arrival, three victims, aged 41, eight, and 16 were certified dead on arrival while two of the victims with serious stab wounds were taken to hospital where they are fighting for their lives.

“The police opened a case and immediately began with their investigation where a manhunt was launched. The members worked tirelessly and received information on the whereabouts of the suspect,” said Mdhluli.

“They then followed the leads and the suspect was finally cornered. They (police) recovered a cellphone believed to be the one taken during the kidnapping. The police also seized other clothing items with blood stains and then arrested the man (Mahlangu).”

While the police management in Mpumalanga, have condemned this violent incident, they applauded the cooperation between members of the public and the police, which led to a swift arrest of the suspect.

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