Killing of 3 Coptic Egyptian monks in Gauteng: Cops seek info, killers

The shocking killing of three Coptic Egyptian monks inside a Coptic monastery in Gauteng has left the church and residents in disbelief and angry after the murders yesterday.

In a statement released by the Coptic Orthodox Church, it is said that ‘three monks were subjected to a criminal attack in our Coptic monastery of Saint Mark the Apostle and Saint Samuel the Confessor in Johannesburg, South Africa’.

The Monk Hegumen Takla El-Samuely (deputy of the diocese of South Africa), the Monk Yostos Ava Markos and the Monk Mina Ava Markos have been identified as the victims of the stabbing.

“The relevant agencies arrived at the monastery and began their investigations of the incident. The Egyptian ambassador in Johannesburg also went to the monastery to follow up the situation,” the statement adds.

SAPS spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed the incident and said it happened in Cullinan.

“The police are investigating a case of murder subsequent to the death of three priests at a church in Cullinan. All three victims were found with stab wounds while the fourth victim, who survived, alleged that he was hit by an iron rod on his hand before fleeing and hiding in one of the rooms,” her statement explains.

No valuable items were taken.

Nevhuhulwi says the motive of the killings is unknown.

“Anyone with information that can assist police with information is requested to contact Cullinan Police Station on 012 734 0751 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can be reported on [the] MySAPS app, which can be downloaded on any smartphone. All information received will be treated as strictly confidential.”

According to Wikipedia, Coptic monasticism is: “A movement in the Coptic Orthodox Church to create a holy, separate class of person from layman Christians.”