Churches in Limpopo’s Vhembe District face rising crime threat
Limpopo police are investigating a surge in church break-ins and arson after a Muledane church was torched, causing R650k in damages.
LIMPOPO – Churches in the Vhembe district are increasingly falling victim to crime, with incidents of burglary, theft and arson on the rise.
Pastor Nonani Shibambu of the Eden Baptist Church in Muledane block J has urged congregations to insure their buildings to avoid devastating financial losses.
Shibambu’s rented church, housed in the Mathobo building near Manwadu Butchery, was the latest target.
Thieves broke in, stole items and then set the building alight, destroying furniture, a steel cabinet containing records and office chairs.
Fortunately, musical instruments had already been removed for safekeeping after an earlier break-in two weeks ago in which cables were stolen.
“We are worried about thugs continuing to rob churches and sometimes setting them on fire afterwards. We have now hired security guards to patrol day and night,” said Shibambu.
Limpopo police spokesperson Brig Hlulani Mashaba confirmed that the Thohoyandou police have opened a case of arson following the fire on September 10.
“The church rooftop had already collapsed when the pastor arrived. Preliminary investigations prompted us to change the docket to arson,” he said.
Police estimate damages at around R650 000. Mashaba appealed to anyone with information to contact Const Rendani Tshavhungwane at 072 189 2544, Crime Stop at 08600 10111, or use the MySAPSApp.
