Image: Free Pik
Police in Mpumalanga have arrested two suspects and recovered several stolen vehicles following a violent robbery at a church in Klipfontein. The incident took place on Wednesday, 30 July 2025, when five armed men entered the church during an evening prayer service and held worshippers at gunpoint.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said the robbers ordered the congregants to lie down, tied them with cable ties, and stole their belongings, including cellphones, wallets, laptops, and the church’s computer equipment. “The suspects demanded car keys and cellphone PIN codes before forcing the victims into three vehicles, a Mercedes-Benz, a VW Polo, and an Isuzu KB bakkie parked at the church,” said Mdhluli.
The group then drove the victims to a secluded area in the bush, where two suspects stayed behind to guard them while the others left with the stolen vehicles.
Police launched an investigation and traced the Mercedes-Benz to a 21-year-old suspect, who was arrested. The VW Polo was later found abandoned in Vosman, while the Isuzu KB was recovered in Silverton, where a 27-year-old suspect was also taken into custody. All abducted church members were later freed unharmed.
The South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC) commended the police for their swift action. SAUCIC president Cardinal Archbishop Dr. Modiri Patrick Shole said the arrests and recoveries demonstrated the importance of cooperation between police, vehicle-tracking companies, private security, and the community.
“Crimes targeting churches are disgraceful acts that violate the sanctity of worship,” said Shole. “We are thankful that, despite the trauma, no one was injured during the incident.” He added that violent attacks on places of worship undermine the right to freedom of assembly and called for stronger partnerships to combat crime and rebuild public confidence in the justice system.
