SAPS
At least five people have been killed and more than 40 others arrested, including security forces personnel, in a church hostage drama at the feud-ravaged International Pentecost Holiness Church in Zuurbekom, west of Johannesburg, in the early hours of Saturday morning, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said.
SAPS officers from various units, supported by members of the South African National Defence Force (SAND), responded at about 3am to reports of a shooting and alleged hostage situation at the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in Zuurbekom, National police commissioner Lt-Gen Khehla John Sitole's spokesman Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said in a statement.
"A group of armed people came to the Modise church and allegedly attacked people who were inside, indicating that they were coming to take over the premises. Police are investigating the possibility that this attack may have been motivated by a feud between conflicted parties of the church," he said.
Four people were found shot and burnt to death in a car, while a fifth victim, a security guard, was also fatally shot in his car while he was apparently attending to the complaint.
Police arrested over 40 suspects, including six people who had been taken to hospital. Among those arrested were members of the SAPS, SANDF, Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), and the correctional services department. Over 34 firearms, including five rifles, 16 shotguns, and 13 pistols had been seized, Naidoo said.
Sitole praised the Gauteng SAPS management and officers for their prompt response to the incident. "I am certain that the speedy response by the the joint security forces has averted what could have been a more severe bloodbath.
"I have tasked the provincial management to finalise its preliminary investigations in the quickest possible time and ensure that the 72-hour activation plan is mobilised to bring to book all those responsible for this attack.
"I have embarked on a spiritual crime prevention concept which involves the participation of all religious denominations in the fight against crime. It is rather unfortunate that such an incident takes place during a time when South Africa is being plagued by a deadly virus [Covid-19] and violent crimes," Sitole said.
- African News Agency (ANA)
