Robbed at the altar: Another church congregation held at gunpoint during prayer service

Police in Mpumalanga are investigating an incident of robbery that occurred at a church in KwaMhlanga at around midnight on Friday.

Provincial police spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, said the robbery occurred while congregants were having a night prayer service.

“According to a (police) report, approximately 60 congregants were praying inside the church when six armed men stormed the premises. The suspects are said to have held the victims at gunpoint, then ordered them to lie down, and robbed them of their mobile phones, wallets, clothing items, as well as an undisclosed amount of cash,” said Mdhluli.

Thereafter, it is alleged that the assailants switched off the premises’ lights before they fled the scene with the stolen items.

“The police were notified, and a case of business robbery was opened. Currently, no arrests have been made yet, and police are appealing to members of the community for any information that could assist in identifying and apprehending the suspects.

“Members of the public can call Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or send information via My SAPS App. All received information will be treated as confidential, and callers may opt to remain anonymous,” said Mdhluli.

Meanwhile, Acting Provincial Commissioner of Police in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, has emphasised the urgent need to enhance security at places of worship.

Mkhwanazi has called for the three SA Police Service districts in the province to collaboratively engage with their local faith-based organizations.

“This type of robbery at places of worship could be a reflection of a moral decay in our society,” said Mkhwanazi.

“We also urge community members to refrain from purchasing suspected stolen properties, as doing so perpetuates the market for such heinous crimes,” he added.

Last week, the South African Community of Faith-based Fraternals and Federations (SACOFF) raised the alarm over the regular targeting of churches and other places of worship across South Africa, following several reports of violent attacks reported by IOL.

On Monday last week, IOL reported that the police in Mpumalanga launched an investigation into a case of business robbery that occurred at a church in Mkhuhlu, Calcutta, on Sunday. Three unknown suspects allegedly stormed the church while congregants were worshipping, and shots were fired during the incident.

“It is with deep concern and sorrow that we note the escalating trend of violent robberies taking place in churches across South Africa. The recent spate of incidents, particularly in Mpumalanga, reflects not only a blatant disregard for the law but also a total lack of respect for the lives and dignity of fellow South Africans,” said Pastor Bert Pretorius, president of SACOFF.

“Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peace, healing, and refuge. They are spaces where people gather in faith and unity to seek the presence of God. For criminals to boldly storm into these sacred spaces with firearms, firing shots and stripping congregants of their dignity and possessions, is not only an attack on individuals but also on the spiritual fabric of our nation.”

Bert, who is also Senior Pastor at the 3C Church, told IOL that it is shocking and unacceptable that in South Africa today, “one cannot even worship without fear of violence”.

“This situation stems from a deeper moral crisis in our nation — one that begins at the top of government and trickles down to the very grassroots of our communities. When lawlessness is allowed to thrive unchecked, when corruption goes unpunished, and when justice is delayed or denied, we create an environment where criminals act with impunity,” he said.

Bert said the violation of churches demonstrates the depth of the crisis. He said South Africa must urgently confront this moral decay and restore integrity, accountability, and respect for life and law.

“The issue here is not simply whether churches should ban cash collections or alter their worship practices. The real issue is the dire state of crime in our country — a state so severe that even while serving God, congregants must look over their shoulders in fear. This is a shameful reality that we cannot accept as normal,” he said.

“We therefore strongly condemn this form of violence against the church and against all communities of faith. Such cases must be handled with the utmost seriousness by law enforcement, with swift investigations, visible policing, and the assurance that criminals will be brought to justice.”

Last month, IOL reported that a church service in Klipfontein, Witbank, was violently interrupted when a group of armed suspects stormed the premises, robbing and kidnapping nine congregants, including the pastor.

Two suspects were arrested, and the victims were later found, said Brigadier Donald Mdhluli.

“According to a report, on this fateful day, a group of more than five armed males stormed into the church premises, threatening the congregants with firearms. About nine church members, including the pastor and church elders, were present at the time, and were ordered to lie down,” Mdhluli said at the time.

The victims were subsequently searched by the armed intruders and tied with cable ties before being robbed of their mobile phones, wallets containing bank cards, laptops, as well as a computer screen belonging to the church.

“The suspects further demanded car keys and PIN codes for the mobile phones that they took. The victims were also forced into three vehicles belonging to them (the victims). The suspects then drove off to a remote area in the bushes, where two of them remained to guard the victims while the others went away, only to return later and collect their two accomplices,” said Mdhluli.

Family members of the victims later reported the incident to the authorities.

On the other hand, the South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC), which represents affiliated federations of charismatic, evangelical outreach mission ministries and pentecostal churches, has raised the alarm about the escalating trend of church robberies, particularly around Mpumalanga.

Speaking to IOL News, national spokesperson of the SA Union Council of Independent Churches, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said the frequent robberies suggest that churches are viewed as “soft targets by heartless criminals” who have no regard for the sanctity of life. 

“The firing of gunshots in the house of the Lord shows the extent to which the criminals are desperate and will not stop at anything. Churches are therefore advised to take precautionary measures and minimise cash transactions for tithes as well as offerings particularly during evening services,” said Kgwele.

“We are appealing to police not to leave any stone unturned until the culprits who defiled the house of the Lord and put the lives of congregants at risk are behind bars.”

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

IOL News  

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