A police search is underway for suspects involved in the alleged rape of two women during a robbery in a church in Mpumalanga on Friday. Selvy Mohlala, the police spokesperson, said in a press statement on Sunday, “Police at Mhlala have since launched a manhunt for three suspects who reportedly robbed the church of musical devices in addition to the pastor’s automotive after allegedly raping the ladies at a church in Thulamahashe close to Bushbuckridge.”
It is alleged that on Friday evening, 18 March around 23:00, two women who were in the church facility heard gunshots and a knock on the door. Three armed suspects forced their way into the church. “They then held the women at gunpoint, demanded money and allegedly raped the women,” Mohlala said.
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The armed suspects stole a silver grey KIA Picanto which belonged to the pastor and musical instruments worth R28 000. The suspects allegedly raped two women in church and fled the scene immediately after that. The Mpumalanga police have called on anyone with information relevant to the case to come forward.
Leutanant-Normal Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, the Mpumalanga police commissioner, has condemned the incident. “It’s fairly disturbing that suspects are actually focusing on locations of worship. We, due to this fact, urge our communities to be vigilant and refuse to purchase stolen items. They need to report these criminals instantly in order that they’re arrested,” Manamela concluded.
Source: News24, Newsxpres, image from News24
