PE CHURCH ROBBED

COPS are investigating a terrifying armed robbery at an Eastern Cape church. 

According to reports, five masked gunmen entered the Booysens Park kerk and robbed the congregants and fled in the pastor’s car. 

Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said the incident occurred on 5 May, at about 6.30pm, when five armed and masked men allegedly invaded the church.

Miraculously, no one was hurt or injured.

Beetge reports: “They stole roughly 50 congregants' cellphones and other belongings. The suspects escaped in the church priest’s white Toyota RAV4, which was eventually discovered abandoned in Chatty. The car has been taken for forensic examination."

Authorities ask anybody with information to call Detective Constable Enrique Louw at 071 570 0628 (SAPS Chatty), or Crime Stop anonymously at 08600 10111.

In a similar incident last month of Gqeberha robbers targeting churchgoers, they robbed the congregation and kidnapped a US pastor before fleeing in his Toyota Fortuner. 

Preeker Josh Sullivan was held for ransom before cops rescued him a few days later following a shootout that left three of the kidnappers dead. 

The incidents of church robberies across Mzansi have caused concern.  

The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre has been training mense at places of worship for emergencies to better prepare people who find themselves under attack. 

According to the City: “Participants engaged in interactive sessions and practical exercises to gain valuable insights into emergency response protocols, evacuation procedures, and risk mitigation strategies. The programme culminates with an emergency exercise that allows participants to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills.”

Mayco Member for Safety and Secuirty JP Smith said last month over the Easter weekend: “It is daunting for participants to work through scenarios around potential violent crime incidents, as our places of worship have done, but we thank them for leading from the front.

“Work will continue to expand the list of participants, so that we can keep these sacred spaces safe for people to freely practice their beliefs.”