10 April 2024 , 12:06
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A pastor chopped off a man’s hands with a machete when he 'caught him stealing' from his church in South Africa.
Dumisani Mahlangu, 28, was tracked down by six parishioners from Soteria Minstries Church who contacted Apostle Solomon Mhlanga, 58. On his orders he was dragged into nearby woods where his arms were held out. Mhlanga, armed with a machete, swung the weapon twice and severed both limbs.
Victim Dumisani explained how he watched in horror as the severed hands “wriggled around” on the ground in front of him. The victim told News24: “It was the worst pain I have ever experienced in my life. I lost so much blood and had six units in hospital. I can still feel my hands are there but when I look there is nothing. I don’t know what I am going to do. For the rest of my life it’s now like this - no hands. Why do this to me?
Dumisani Mahlangu lost both hands in the incident (Storm Webber/Witbank News)
The victim confirmed he was a thief, but denied the crime which cost him his hands (Storm Webber/Witbank News)”I can’t wash or dress and even though I was out of work I had a chance to at least get work but with no hands who will give me a job? I am now dependent on others.” Mahlangu admitted after the horrific attack he was a thief but denied robbing the church that day. He confirmed he had been walking past the church in the Kwa-Guqa area when he was cornered by six armed men who accused him of stealing a battery from them.
Mahlangu said: “As I tried to run away they started shooting around my feet so I stopped. Then they assaulted me with broom sticks and fists and the pastor’s son called his dad. “The pastor arrived armed with a machete and they drove me to a quiet area and I begged him not to kill me and said I had not stolen anything but they both my hands”.
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Apostle Solomon Mhalanga, 58, and son Enoch, 20, both face attempted murder and kidnapping charges (Storm Webber/Witbank News)His father Johannes, 66, said: “How can a pastor do this to my child? Is he not supposed to preach peace? Now I have to brush his teeth, feed him, wash him, take him to the toilet. I was hoping when I die, he is the one who is going to carry my coffin out of this house.”
Mhalanga and son Enoch, 20, who is alleged to have helped his God-fearing father, appeared in the dock beside him at Emalahleni Magistrates Court. The pair were given bail after the magistrate was told neither accused was a danger to any other member of the community and were ordered not to contact their victim.