SAUSIC National Spokesperson Pastor Lesiba Kgwele
By Pastor Lesiba Kgwele
National Spokesperson South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC)
The South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC) President, Cardinal Archbishop Dr Modiri Patrick Shole on Sunday condemned an attempted church robbery at Kwaggafontein in Mpumalanga during which two worshippers sustained gunshot wounds.
One robber was reportedly fatally wounded on the scene during an exchange of gunfire.
According to media reports, the latest incident and violent confrontation with church members and Pakistan nationals occurred at a church near Kwa-Mahlangu Butchery on Friday night.
The robber who died at the scene has since been identified as 22-year-old Melusi Mabena while his unknown accomplices are still at large.
Cardinal Shole wished the congregants who were hospitalised for treatment a speedy recovery adding that the spate of robberies targeted at churches are appalling violent acts that are threatening faith communities.
“None of our communities will be safer with armed heartless criminals responsible for such heinous acts roaming our streets and neighbourhoods.
A concerted effort must therefore be intensified to bring the other culprits that are still at large behind bars,” highlighted Dr Shole
Shole mentioned that brazen robberies and opportunistic violent crimes of this nature targeted at churches and other places of worship are not only a disgrace but barbaric acts that defile the sanctity of the house of the LORD.
He pointed out that opportunistic violent crimes targeted at church gatherings and other places of worship are threatening congregants’ constitutional right of freedom of assembly and should be confronted head-on to nip the escalating trend in the bud.
“The effort to tackle the scourge of violent crime threatening our communities must be bolstered and a stronger partnership with our police established,” he underscored.
Shole appealed to communities to unite in action against violent crime in order to rid communities of illegal firearms by reclaiming their activism in support of crime prevention structures and community policing.
He called for increased police visibility and patrols in communities and appealed to churches to inform law enforcement and crime prevention structures whenever they are hosting evening gatherings.
“While we have encouraged churches to take precautionary measures such as minimizing cash during services, installing security cameras and engaging private security companies, this does not in any way exonerate our police from their responsibility to prioritse the safety of churches in their operational plans,” he remarked.
Shole commended police for the swift arrest of five suspects that allegedly robbed a church in Ngwenyeni village near Komatipoort around 03:30 on Saturday morning.
A 14-year-old congregant who was shot during the robbery was rushed to hospital where he is said to be in stable condition.
According to provincial police, the same group of suspects were also responsible for a robbery at a tavern near neighbouring Madadeni village before they were arrested on the N4 following an intelligence-driven operations.
Two unlicensed firearms, several mobile phones and other items suspected to be stolen properties were recovered during the arrest.