SIYABUSWA – The legal advisor of internationally acclaimed Ndebele artist Esther Mahlangu, also known as Nostokana, is demanding answers from Mpumalanga community safety MEC Jackie Macie on what he called futile investigations on Mahlangu’s case.
The 88 year-old geometric painter was assaulted and robbed of her firearm and an undisclosed amount of cash in her home in Veltevrede near Siyabuswa on 19 March 2022.
Simon Sikhosana was arrested in connection with the incident and appeared in the Mdutjana Magistrate’s Court.
Seven months later, Sikhosana was reportedly discharged from prosecution and released from custody and the case was taken off the roll due to “outstanding investigations”.
“It is now two years since the case was removed from the court’s roll and the police did not reveal anything to the public about their investigations,” moaned Warren Mabona, legal advisor and chairperson of Mabona Social Justice (MSJ).
Mabona further expressed that he sent a letter to MEC Macie’s office on October 03, 2024 highlighting his concerns, he added that confirmation of receipt was made on October 07.
Mabona also said that maximum resources were mobilised to investigate the matter and Sikhosana was arrested swiftly.
“But suddenly there are outstanding investigations,” he said. “It is very mysterious and not understandable. We want to know what happened.”
He also stated that MSJ wants the MEC to intervene so that this case can be investigated, expedited and concluded so that gogo can get justice.
On the twists and turns department spokesperson Moeti Mmusi told Highveld Chronicle he is not aware if the department has received such a complain.
“What I am aware of is that the former MEC went to the house and subsequently, the provincial government undertook to do a security audit at her [Esther Mahlangu] place,” he said.
“It happens sometimes that a person is arrested as a person of interest. So what needs to be checked in this case is that the person is actually a suspect or a person of interest.
Once we have gathered all those facts, we will be able to come back with a proper response to say what really transpired in this case,” he concluded.
