Cop, soldier and attorney among accused in Zuurbekom church shooting
An attorney, a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldier and a police officer are part of the group of men fingered in the Zuurbekom church shooting.
Five people were killed and 41 arrested on Saturday after gunmen stormed the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) headquarters, west of Johannesburg.
Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Gauteng Phindi Mjondondwane says the group of men appeared at the Westonaria Magistrate’s Court on Monday charged with murder, attempted murder and malicious injury to property.
“Two of the suspects were injured during the cross-fire between the alleged assailants and the church’s security officials. They are currently hospitalised and will appear in court as soon as they are released from hospital,” says Mjondondwane.
“An attorney, a member of the South African National Defence Army and a South African Police Service official are amongst the accused that appeared in court today.”
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Provincial police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone says two of the escapees were re-arrested shortly after they fled from the station. Police are continuing the search for the remaining ten. "The escapees, aged between 20 and 40 years old, escaped through a hole in the wall."
The church has had several feuds among different groups of congregants, as different groups battle to seize control of the multi-million-rand church following the death of founder ‘Comforter’ Glayton Modise in 2016.
“The police that attended the crime scene managed to rescue those that were held hostage, amongst them, women and children,” says Mjondondwane.
She says the group will be back in the dock on Wednesday.
“All accused were remanded in custody util Wednesday, 15 July 2020 for further investigations.”