A group of women are left traumatised after two armed men stormed their church in Mkhuhlu near Hazyview yesterday and robbed them of cash and valuables.

Mpumalanga News reports that members of the Pentecost Church were about to pray at 12:40 when the suspects, wearing balaclavas, entered the church.

“The robbers were armed and fired shots into the church ceiling. They demanded cellphones and collected wallets, handbags and vehicle keys. They also took the cash collection, amounting to R1 220, contributed by the church members,” says provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli.

The suspects fled in a white Toyota Fortuner belonging to a 61-year-old congregant. The vehicle was later found abandoned in Marite Trust, near the Carlton fuel station.

Mdhluli says police recovered handbags and car keys from the vehicle, but the stolen cellphones and cash were missing. Several spent cartridges were also found inside the church.

No arrests had been made at the time of publication. Mdhluli urges anyone with information to contact the nearest police station, call the SAPS toll-free number on 08600 10111 or use the My SAPS app.

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