Police jump fence and allegedly damaged infrastructure at Valhalla church
“It is not about the broken pot but the disrespect shown by the officers. They could have called. It was as though they were looking for a soft target.”
A Centurion pastor was left in shock and felt disrespected after police officers allegedly jumped the fence at his church and damaged a pot plant.
According to the Full Gospel church – WRD assembly, Pastor JP Esterhuizen said it was after the prayer walk at around 09:35 when police barged into the church grounds by jumping over the fence.
“The officers said they had received a formal complaint that the church was conducting a service and they are there to arrest some people.”
Esterhuizen explained that on Sunday morning the church had a prayer walk. During the prayer walk, congregants walked 10 metres apart from each other. One person would start walking and the other one would walk behind them keeping the distance.
“If anything we followed all the rules and regulations. Our people had masks on as we walked and exercised around the block praying.”
Esterhuizen said the walk started at 08:00 and by 08:55 they were finished. He said they were still within the lockdown level 4 regulations since people are allowed to exercise between 06:00 and 09:00 in the morning.
“People were given papers with numbers on them from 1 until 10. The numbers represented 10 prayer points which we were praying for during this pandemic.”
Esterhuizen said it was after the walk police arrived at the church. He said the police did not call the numbers at the gate, they just jumped over the fence and broke a garden pot in the process worth R1 000 which has been at the church for seven years, undisturbed.
“It is not about the broken pot but the disrespect shown by the officers. They could have called. It was as though they were looking for a soft target,” he said.
He said the police searched the church premises, took photos and did not find anything.
“In the first few minutes tensions were high but we all calmed down, they understood, apologised and we parted ways in a respectful manner.”
Esterhuizen mentioned that he was disturbed that people who reported the church on such a petty thing. He said he was quite shocked by this.
National police spokesperson, Brigadier Vish Naidoo said sector members from Wierdabrug police station received a complaint telephonically of an illegal gathering at Full Gospel church in Valhalla and were requested to intervene.
Naidoo said the reason members jumped the church fence was because the gates were locked.
“Members hooted and switched on the sirens but no one came to open the gate nor to talk to them. They then jumped over the fence to check what was happening and speak to the Pastor or whoever was in charge,” he explained.
Since it is alleged by the church that the policed broke a pot plant, Naidoo said at this stage, this is an allegation and members did not report any damages at the church.
“Senior officers from the station will visit the church to follow up on the allegations. The Pastor also has a right to open a case at the police station and it will be investigated properly.”
Esterhuizen, however, said that they would not be opening a case against the police.
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