eMalahleni (Witbank) – Cellphones, a Mercedes-Benz, a VW Polo, and an Isuzu KB Bakkie stolen from a church in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga, have been recovered, and two suspects arrested.
Commenting on the brazen robbery, Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, said police also freed congregants who had been abducted by the robbers.
The churchgoers’ ordeal began on Wednesday, 30 July 2025, when five armed men stormed their evening prayer service in Klipfontein.
“Victims were threatened with firearms, ordered to lie down, tied with cable ties as well as robbed of their cell phones, including wallets containing bank cards, laptops, and the church’s computer screen,” recounted Brigadier Mdhluli on Saturday, 2 August 2025.
The suspects demanded car keys and PIN codes for the cellphones before forcing the victims into the three vehicles that were on the premises.
“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 Brigadier Mdhluli.
However, police traced the Mercedes-Benz, which they found in the possession of a 21-year-old who was arrested.
Police found the VW Polo abandoned in Vosman, while the Isuzu KB Bakkie was traced and recovered in Silverton, and a 27-year-old male suspect was arrested.
Reacting to the swift recovery of stolen vehicles, the freeing of abducted congregants, and the arrests of suspects, the South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC) on Saturday applauded the police.
SAUCIC President, Cardinal Archbishop Dr.Modiri Patrick Shole represeting affiliated Federations of Charismatic, Evangelical Outreach Mission Ministries and Pentecostal Churches, said: “The SAUCIC is encouraged by the swift arrest of the alleged perpetrators and recovery of the vehicles, a Volkswagen Polo, Mercedes Benz, and KB Isuzu bakkie”.
Cardinal Shole said he welcomed the arrests as an indication that cooperation between police, vehicle tracking firms, private security companies, and communities was critical to “win the war against the rising tide of criminality”.
Cardinal Shole added: “Brazen robberies and opportunistic violent crimes of this nature targeted at churches are not only a disgrace but barbaric acts that defile the sanctity of the house of the Lord.
“We are, however, grateful that even though they were shaken, the Pastor and congregants were not hurt during the traumatic ordeal.”
Dr. Shole said opportunistic violent crimes targetting church gatherings and other places of worship were threatening congregants’ constitutional right of freedom of assembly.
“The effort to tackle the scourge of violent crime threatening our communities must be bolstered and a strong partnership with our police established in order to restore the rule of law as well as confidence in the criminal justice system,” he said.
Shole called for a concerted effort to bring the three remaining culprits who are still at large behind bars.
“None of our communities will be safer with armed heartless criminals responsible for such heinous acts roaming our streets and neighbourhoods,” he stated.
Cardinal Shole implored communities to unite in action against violent crime and illegal firearms by reclaiming their activism in support of crime prevention structures and community policing.
