Two men have been taken into custody following a violent robbery at a church service in Klipfontein on Wednesday evening.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, five armed suspects entered the church shortly before 7pm, holding the pastor and eight congregants at gunpoint. The group was forced to the ground, tied with cable ties and searched before being stripped of valuables, including cellphones, wallets with bank cards, laptops, and a computer monitor belonging to the church.
The robbers allegedly demanded car keys and cellphone PINs before forcing the victims into three vehicles. “The suspects drove them to a remote bushy area, leaving two to guard the victims while the others left and later returned,” Mdhluli said.
Relatives of the hostages alerted police, and a joint operation with Tracker Connect led to the recovery of all three vehicles:
- A Mercedes-Benz, found in Vosman where a 21-year-old suspect was arrested,
- A VW Polo, abandoned in Vosman, and
- An Isuzu KB bakkie, recovered in Silverton, Gauteng, where a 27-year-old suspect was arrested.
The nine victims were later traced to Kromdraai, where they were rescued. One sustained minor injuries and received medical treatment.
The two suspects are expected to appear in court soon while police continue searching for the other three. Police recovered a 9mm pistol with a filed-off serial number, ammunition and a 16-antenna jamming device.
Investigations into both incidents are ongoing. Police have appealed to the public for information that may lead to the arrest of the remaining suspects. Tip-offs can be shared anonymously via the Crime Stop line (08600-10111) or the MySAPS app.
