Fourways robot menace Thabo says sorry, fights for a second chance

Share current article via EmailShare current article via FacebookShare current article via TwitterShare current article via LinkedInGill GiffordSenior journalist

Opens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowEnter fullscreen mode displaying this image.ExpandThabo Mahlangu, who has been homeless and addicted to drugs for eight years, has been admitted to rehab following numerous complaints of his aggressive attacks on motorists. He is pictured talking to Pastor Curt van Heerden. Story audio is generated using AI

For years, homeless heroin addict Thabo Mahlangu was a feared presence at traffic lights in Fourways, Johannesburg, with motorists accusing him of intimidation and aggression — until one woman decided to speak out.

eSports broadcaster and content creator Sam “Tech Girl” Wright had a second unsettling encounter with Mahlangu and took to social media to describe what happened and ask whether other motorists had similar experiences.

In her video post, Wright described feeling intimidated and unsafe when she encountered Mahlangu at the intersection of Witkoppen and Main roads as a woman driving alone.

“I recognised him and didn’t want to stop. But he saw me and stepped in front of my car, so I had to slow right down. As he approached he beat my car, hit my side mirror and spat at me,” Wright said.

She contacted her local councillor and the Lonehill Residents’ Association and was advised to open a criminal case at Douglasdale police station.

Her post sparked an online outpouring, with other motorists contacting her to describe similar experiences. Scores of women contacted her with their stories, enabling her to build a long list of victims.

“I tried to lay charges and at first the cops seemed uninterested because I hadn’t suffered any actual damage, and there was some disagreement over whether the case should be registered at Douglasdale or Sandton. But then they called a superior and he came through and said, ‘Oh you’re the TikTok video woman’ and he agreed that I had a case of intimidation.”

Samantha ‘Tech Girl’ Wright made an emotional post on TikTok describing her terrifying experience of being confronted at the intersection of Witkoppen and Main roads by a beggar who banged on her car and spat at her. The incident attracted widespread attention and Mahlangu was arrested. But the case was dismissed in court because of a lack of evidence and he was released.

“By Sunday I was out of my mind with stress and worry because soon after that another woman posted a photo of him at her window,” Wright said, describing her sense of helplessness.

Her appeals eventually reached local activist pastor Curt van Heerden, who has worked with addicts for the past 10 years. He recently entered politics and is vice-president of The People’s Movement for Change.

“Because of the work I do I got tagged in all the posts. So I watched her video, saw that the guy was an addict and went looking for him,” Van Heerden said.

He tracked Mahlangu down and took him to the Centre for Transformation on the West Rand, where he was admitted to a rehabilitation programme which is helping him overcome his heroin addiction.

The centre’s CEO, pastor Nello Sibinda, said Mahlangu was aware of his challenges and had acknowledged his aggressive behaviour, which he said happened when withdrawal kicked in.

Speaking to the Sunday Times from the clinic, Mahlangu said he felt bad about his actions. He has been homeless and battling addiction for eight years.

“I’m glad to be here. I’m trying to get better. I am very, very sorry and I want to stop these things,” he said.

His case manager, Lindsay Holland, said the process of getting off heroin was agonising and many difficult days lay ahead. But Mahlangu had shown a deep commitment to recovery and started each day by thanking the clinic for the help it was providing for free.

Wright said she was pleased that Mahlangu was receiving help and hoped he would get clean and start a new life.

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