‘Protect your congregants’: Government responds to wave of church robberies

Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security, and Liaison, Jackie Macie, has called on church leaders across the province to ramp up security measures and protocols to better protect themselves and their congregants.

Macie was reacting to the recent spate of business robberies that occurred at church services in Bushbuckridge and KwaMhlanga.

“Two business robberies were reported at two separate places of worship in the Calcutta policing precinct. The third robbery was reported at KwaMhlanga during a night vigil on Friday, August 29, 2025, at around 11 pm,” the MEC said.

Macie said churches should enhance security measures by implementing steps, including working closely with the police; making arrangements with local security companies, especially for night services; and utilizing private security for monitoring premises during services and events.

He also urged churches to install CCTV cameras and alarm systems to deter and detect potential threats, designate a security team or ushers to keep an eye on the congregation and respond to incidents, and conduct risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities, such as isolated areas or unsecured entrances.

Churches are also urged to assess the likelihood of robbery or other safety threats based on location, time of day, and other factors.

"The recent attacks are a clear indication of moral decay in our society. Therefore, we must all work together by reporting suspects to the police. What happened in these three robberies is an indication that more still needs to be done to secure our communities,” said Macie.

“Men and women in blue should remain undeterred in their efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.”

Earlier on Monday, IOL reported that police in Mpumalanga are investigating the incident of robbery that occurred at a church in KwaMhlanga at around midnight on Friday.

Provincial police spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, said the robbery occurred while congregants were having a night prayer service.

“According to a (police) report, approximately 60 congregants were praying inside the church when six armed men stormed the premises. The suspects reportedly held the victims at gunpoint, ordered them to lie down, and robbed them of mobile phones, wallets, clothing items, and an undisclosed amount of cash,” said Mdhluli.

Thereafter, it is alleged that the assailants switched off the premises’ lights before they fled the scene with the stolen items.

Last week, the South African Community of Faith-based Fraternals and Federations (SACOFF) raised the alarm over the regular targeting of churches and other places of worship across South Africa, following several reports of violent attacks reported by IOL.

On Monday last week, IOL reported that the police in Mpumalanga launched an investigation into a case of business robbery that occurred at a church in Mkhuhlu, Calcutta, on Sunday. Three unknown suspects allegedly stormed the church while congregants were worshipping, and shots were fired during the incident.

“It is with deep concern and sorrow that we note the escalating trend of violent robberies taking place in churches across South Africa. The recent spate of incidents, particularly in Mpumalanga, reflects not only a blatant disregard for the law but also a total lack of respect for the lives and dignity of fellow South Africans,” said Pastor Bert Pretorius, president of SACOFF.

“Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peace, healing, and refuge. They are spaces where people gather in faith and unity to seek the presence of God. For criminals to boldly storm into these sacred spaces with firearms, firing shots and stripping congregants of their dignity and possessions, is not only an attack on individuals but also on the spiritual fabric of our nation.”

Bert, who is also Senior Pastor at the 3C Church, told IOL that it is shocking and unacceptable that in South Africa today, “one cannot even worship without fear of violence”.

Last month, IOL reported that a church service in Klipfontein, Witbank, was violently interrupted when a group of armed suspects stormed the premises, robbing and kidnapping nine congregants, including the pastor.

Two suspects were arrested, and the victims were later found, said Brigadier Donald Mdhluli.

“According to a report, on this fateful day, a group of more than five armed males stormed into the church premises, threatening the congregants with firearms. About nine church members, including the pastor and church elders, were present at the time, and were ordered to lie down,” Mdhluli said at the time.

The victims were subsequently searched by the armed intruders and tied with cable ties before being robbed of their mobile phones, wallets containing bank cards, laptops, as well as a computer screen belonging to the church.

On the other hand, the South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC), which represents affiliated federations of charismatic, evangelical outreach mission ministries and pentecostal churches, has raised the alarm about the escalating trend of church robberies, particularly around Mpumalanga.

Speaking to IOL News, national spokesperson of the SA Union Council of Independent Churches, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said the frequent robberies suggest that churches are viewed as “soft targets by heartless criminals” who have no regard for the sanctity of life. 

“The firing of gunshots in the house of the Lord shows the extent to which the criminals are desperate and will not stop at anything. Churches are therefore advised to take precautionary measures and minimise cash transactions for tithes as well as offerings particularly during evening services,” said Kgwele.

“We are appealing to police not to leave any stone unturned until the culprits who defiled the house of the Lord and put the lives of congregants at risk are behind bars.”

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

IOL News  

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