Following last week’s arrest of three men in connection with the brutal attack on Dumisani Mahlangu (30) in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga, two of the suspects appeared in the Witbank Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

The accused face charges of attempted murder and kidnapping after allegedly kidnapping Mahlangu while he was walking along the Kromdraai road.

The suspects allegedly accused Mahlangu of stealing a battery. It was reported by police that after interrogating him for hours, they drove him into the bushes and allegedly severed off his hands with a panga.

His hands were found in the bushes near the crime scene.

The attack took place on Wednesday, March 20.

The suspects briefly appeared in the Witbank Magistrate’s Court yesterday, and are due to again appear for their formal bail application hearing on April 9.

They remain in custody.