Pastor Solomon Mhlanga (66) and his son, Enock Mhlanga (21), were today sentenced to life imprisonment for their roles in the brutal attack that resulted in 31-year-old Dumisani Mahlangu having both his hands hacked off last year. In addition to the life sentence for attempted murder, the two men received a three-year sentence for the kidnapping charge.

The third accused, Poppy Mhlanga, the pastor’s daughter-in-law, was sentenced to three years of direct imprisonment for kidnapping. She was instrumental in the crime, having suggested that the victim be tied up to prevent his escape.

Vigilante acts will not be tolerated

Magistrate JJ Combrink, in delivering the sentence, stated that the ruling should “send a clear message to everyone that vigilante acts will not be tolerated in this jurisdiction”.

The horrifying incident, which made headlines last year, began in March when Mahlangu was kidnapped at gunpoint by six men while walking on Kromdraai Road. Mahlangu had been accused of theft.

The sequence of violence began when Mahlangu was taken inside the church, where he was assaulted. He was then driven to a secluded area where the mutilation took place.

‘Soldiers die in war’

During the trial, the court heard chilling details of the attack, including how Mahlangu pleaded with the pastor not to cut off his second hand, only to be met with the cold reply, ‘Soldiers die in war’.
Mahlangu testified that he watched in disbelief as his severed hands ‘flip-flopped’’ in front of him, realising that where his hands had been, only bloodied stumps remained.

The magistrate quoted the callousness of the accused, stating: “No mercy was shown, and when Mahlangu tried to get onto the bakkie to seek medical help, he was told to get away because he was smearing blood all over the bakkie.”

Combrink emphasised the life-altering impact on the victim, stating that Mahlangu only survived because nearby woodcutters found him.

“How do you get along without hands? How do you do something simple like eat? How do you dress or close your buttons? How do you go to a bathroom without hands?” Combrink asked, highlighting the irreparable damage inflicted by the vigilante attack.

Hands chopped off – accused to hear sentence today
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— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) November 24, 2025

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