A Mpumalanga pastor is alleged to have chopped 29-year-old Dumisani Mahlangu’s hands after he was accused of a crime he did not commit.
The news was reported by the SowetanLIVE who added that Dumisani, was walking past the church, which is situated at Kwa-Guqa when an armed mob approached him accusing him of stealing from their church while assaulting him.
He was quoted saying, “I was going to my friend’s house around 7 am. I took a shortcut and walked through the churchyard. Four men approached me, accusing me of stealing. As I tried to run away, I heard several gunshots, and they told me to stop or else they will shoot me. They assaulted me with sticks and fists.”
While still held by the four men, Dumisani shared with the publication that he heard the son’s pastor calling his father telling him they got him. The pastor arrived driving in a bakkie and placed him at the back of the van driving off to a secluded area in Kromdraai.
This was the beginning of a nightmare for the 29-year-old as he watched the pastor who had a panga in his hand chop his hands.
The publication reports that Dumisani begged the pastor to leave him with at least one hand.
Dumisani who admits to being addicted to drugs and a known thief was punished for a crime he did not commit as he acknowledged his thieving ways but shared that he has never stolen from the church.
The publication also shared that the pastor, known as apostle Solomon Mhlanga, 58, together with his 20-year-old son Enoch appeared in the Emalahleni magistrate’s court, on charges of attempted murder and kidnapping, with a bail hearing postponed for April 9.
The story was also shared by MDN News on the popular social media app X, formerly known as Twitter.
Pastor cuts off my hands.
“I begged him to at least leave me with one hand, but he said my friends must see what happens to people who steal from him.”
These are the words of the man who had both his hands chopped off in Mpumalanga two weeks ago.
Dumisani Mahlangu, 29, was… pic.twitter.com/UrItMNQ61v
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) April 7, 2024
Social media users were ticked off by the pastor commenting:
what kinda pastor is that?
— bhovu (@savenoho) April 7, 2024
Crazy I thought pastors have mercy
— Sheila Cherotich Manyorio ?? (@sheilamanyorio) April 7, 2024
One user saw this as a blessing in disguise commenting:
The Paster saved him from himself
He was gonna steal for wrong people and get killed atleast now he won’t steal again pic.twitter.com/IfoBB7Qa2U
— Nick (@nicksta_napo) April 7, 2024
Another user had a few people in mind whom the pastor should visit, commenting:
If only this pastor had the power to cut off the hands of our corrupt politicians in South Africa.
— Unathi Plaatjie ? (@unathi_plaatjie) April 7, 2024
