Five dead in hostage drama at Gauteng mega church
Updated | By AFP
Five people were killed, while 40 others, including off-duty police officers, were arrested Saturday after gunmen stormed the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in Zuurbekom, west of Johannesburg.
According to a statement by the South African Police Service (SAPS): "Four people were found shot and burnt to death in a car while a fifth victim, a security guard, was also fatally shot in his car while he was apparently attending this complaint."
The unusually violent incident took place early Saturday when an armed group stormed the mega church, "indicating that they were coming to take over the premises," police said.
The church has had multiple succession-related clashes that have been widely reported by local media since multimillionaire leader and founder Comforter Glayton Modise died in 2016.
Police responded to reports of "shooting and an alleged hostage situation," and seized more than 34 firearms including five rifles, 16 other guns, and 13 pistols.
More than 40 suspects, including six taken to hospital, were arrested.
They included members of the South African police, the National Defence Force, the Johannesburg Metro Police and the Department of Correctional Services.
Authorities are investigating "the possibility that this attack may have been motivated by a feud between conflicted parties of the church," which is used to factional struggles.
Local media reported that in November 2018, a shoot-out between opposing sides wounded three people outside the church headquarters in Zuurbekom.
In 2017, the warring factions went to court over claims that more than R110 million was missing from church coffers.
READ ALSO:
Messainic churches embrace digital age as religious gatherings resume
The SACMCC held a virtual press briefing on Tuesday, where it spoke on the way forward after President Cyril Ramaphosa gave the green light for the resumption of religious gatherings. Under level 3, all churches will be allowed to resume services with no more than 50 worshippers at a time.
Show's Stories
-
Into the New World': the K-pop song that became South Korea'
A cheerful song by one of the most successful K-pop girl groups has emer...
The Drive with Rob & Roz 15 hours ago -
VIDEO: Lisa Kudrow shares sad admission about 'Friends' cast
The one where Lisa Kudrow, aka Phoebe Buffay, talks about Matthew Perry'...
The Drive with Rob & Roz 16 hours ago