MBOMBELA – A provincial police spokesperson, Brig Selvy Mohlala, said, “According to information at our disposal, on the said day at about 23:00, two ladies who were in a room at the church heard a gunshot outside.

This was followed by a knock on the door. It is said that three male suspects, armed with a pistol, forced the door open. They held the women at gunpoint while trying to find out where the pastor was. The suspects demanded cash and allegedly raped the women. The suspects also took musical instruments of the church to the value of about R28 000, as well as a silver-grey Kia Picanto belonging to the pastor. The suspects fled the scene.”

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He said police are already working around the clock to bring the suspects to book.

“The Mhala police have since launched a manhunt for the three men. As you know, we can never win the fight against crime without the community’s assistance, so we would like to appeal to anyone with information to contact Det Capt Dexter Ndlovu on 072 624 5133,” appealed Mohlala.

The provincial police commissioner, Lt Gen Semakaleng Manamela, has given her support on this incident. She has appealed to the public to alert the authorities if they become aware of someone in possession of these robbed items.

“It is quite disturbing to learn that criminals are now targeting places of worship. We therefore urge our communities to be vigilant and refuse to buy stolen goods. They should rather report these criminals immediately so that they can be arrested,” Manamela said.