A Pastor, a Son, and a Fire in the Bush: The Witbank Sentencing That Shook Two Nations

A Witbank pastor receives two life sentences for a violent 2024 attack that left a Vosman man permanently disabled (image source)

The Witbank Regional Court has sentenced Pastor Solomon Mhlanga to two life terms and an additional three years for kidnapping, closing a case that has unsettled communities in both South Africa and Zimbabwe since 2024.

The case stems from an incident in March 2024 along Kroomdraai Road in Vosman, where Dumisani Mahlangu was accused by the Mhlanga family of stealing church property. Instead of reporting the matter to police, the family forcibly took him in a bakkie to a secluded bushy area. There, a vehicle was set on fire, a branch was cut and placed under Mahlangu’s hands, and a machete was used to inflict severe injuries. Although he survived, Mahlangu’s life was permanently altered.

Court Proceedings and Reactions:

On 24 November 2025, the court delivered its ruling. Pastor Mhlanga received two life sentences and a three-year term for kidnapping. Mahlangu, speaking to Daily Sun, said he now feels a sense of relief after months of fear and sleepless nights. His father, Johannes, welcomed the ruling, though he noted the burden of caring for a son who can no longer live independently.

Broader Significance:

The case has resonated in communities across the region, highlighting issues of mob justice, misuse of spiritual authority, and the vulnerability of individuals accused without due process. For the Mhlanga family, once respected in ministry circles, the sentencing marks a sharp fall from grace. For the Mahlangu family, the verdict brings closure tempered by the lasting consequences of the attack.