Renowned Ndebele artist Esther Mahlangu bought a pistol which she kept in a safe more than two decades ago to protect herself from crime which has now befallen her in her late 80s.
Speaking publicly for the first time about the Saturday robbery at her house in Mthambothini village near Siyabuswa in Mpumalanga, Mahlangu, 87, told Sowetan that had her attacker not pounced on her from behind she could have been able to use her firearm to protect herself.
“I could have shot him... It's been years since I last used the gun because it's not something that I carry or use every day but I can load it and protect myself when I have to,” she said.
Her firearm, an old Davids 7.65mm gun and its licence were in her safe which was also stolen, including her money and all her house keys.
The well-travelled painter suffered bruises on her cheeks, lips and left temple while her throat and cheeks were still visibly swollen yesterday.
Mahlangu said her gun, which she has owned since “my younger days”, could have protected her on Saturday afternoon when she was attacked while alone inside her home.
Asked if she would like to replace it and acquire another gun, Mahlangu said she did not know yet.
“The children have been saying I should take it back, I said 'hold off', because I have had it for years even though I can't give you the exact date,” Mahlangu said.
“Ye mara isgidi sami sikhambhile [my gun is really gone].”
She said it was credit to her ability yokudzimelela (standing firm) that her attacker failed to bring her down while trying to strangle her from behind.
She said she wished her attacker is caught and brought to her so she “teaches him a lesson”.
Mahlangu said she wanted to address the issue of security around her house.
“I wish someone can make a plan for me to have security manning my gate because there was no way anyone would gain entry into the yard unseen if there was a security guard,” she said.
Mahlangu said although this was her first brush with crime at her home she was still very traumatised and worried about her safety.
“It would be better if there's someone seeing everyone that comes in and out of the property,” Mahlangu said, adding she is considering getting a helper.
Her homestead was a hive of activity yesterday, with dozens of concerned relatives visiting her to ensure that her security is addressed. Members of the EFF also stood out in their party regalia.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brig Selvy Mohlala said age is not a determining factor in one possessing a licensed firearm.
“The Firearm Control Act doesn't stipulate age for one to legally own a firearm; as long as you are fit and competent to use it, the act allows [you] to own one,” Mohlala said.
Mohlala said according to the gun licence records, Mahlangu has a licensed firearm which was first issued in 2001.
Mahlangu's neighbour and relative, Medina Mahlangu, said they understood the need for her to own a firearm as she was a well-travelled and successful Ndebele painter.
Medina is married to Mahlangu's grandson and lives across the road from her home. “I knew about the firearm because it was my late husband that used to help Gogo [Mahlangu] take care of the gun when he was still alive,” Medina said.
She said they believed that whoever attacked Mahlangu knew his way around and had prior knowledge that she could be alone.
Mahlangu's great-granddaughter, Hlobisile Masilela, 20, who lives with her in the same homestead but not the same house, said she has now moved in with her so that she's not alone.
“I'm scared since the incident ... now I have to sleep in her house so that she doesn't spend the night all by herself,” Masilela said.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.