NELSPRUIT – The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma has strongly condemned the torching of a church, vehicles as well as property belonging to a local Pastor in Acornhoek during the early hours of Monday morning, 02 March 2020.
Reports indicate that at around 03h30am, unknown suspects entered the yard of the 63-year-old Pastor and torched two vehicles as well as damaged windows of his house. At the time, the Pastor and his wife were still asleep when the wife woke up from some strange noise coming from people who were shouting. The terrified wife woke her husband up to inform him that their cars were burning. At the same time, the windows of their house were also pelted with stones.
The couple quickly ran outside and witnessed their cars engulfed in flames while some community members were already in the yard trying to extinguish the fire. Whilst the community was still trying to extinguish the flames, the Pastor received a call informing him that his church was also in flames.
Police were notified about the incidents whereupon cases of arson as well as malicious damage to property were opened and investigations thereof are underway. Police noticed that there was a message on the church wall levelling accusations against the church which was written in graffiti style. The writing, amongst other things accused the church of raping people but currently, no such allegations of rape can be proven against the Pastor nor the congregants.
The Provincial Commissioner has called for a quick arrest of the suspects. “We cannot allow lawlessness to prevail, where criminals go on rampage and burn buildings, cars and damage other people’s houses. There are laws in this country and no one is allowed to destroy property in the name of being wronged or having certain grievances against other people. When one feels (s) he is being offended, then that person must report the matter to the relevant authorities. The perpetrators of these cases must be arrested and face their day in court, said General Zuma.
In the meantime, the police calls on anyone with information that can assist in the investigation to call Lieutenant Colonel Albert Manzini on 0824691031. Members of the community can also anonymously call 0860010111 or send SMS’s to 32211. MYSAPSApp can also be downloaded where valuable information can be shared with police and the information will be treated with strictest confidence.
Source: South African Police Service