The Mkhuhlu Pastors’ Forum is urgently calling for increased police intervention to combat a disturbing surge in armed robberies targeting churches in the area, leaving congregants terrified and questioning their safety in places of worship.
The call to action follows several incidents where churchgoers have been robbed of their personal belongings, including cell phones, cash, and vehicles, during Sunday services. The most recent robbery occurred this past weekend, marking the second such violent incident in the same area within a single month.
“A place of worship where believers gather for prayer and fellowship has now turned into a crime scene,” the report stated, describing how armed suspects have been operating in broad daylight. Some church leaders suspect the criminals may be receiving inside information from within their own congregations.
In response to the crisis, the Pastors’ Forum held an emergency meeting with local police to develop a strategy to fight the criminal activities. The police have confirmed several cases of robbery at churches in Mkhuhlu and surrounding areas, including KwaMhlanga and Emalahleni.
Police Acknowledge “Moral Decay,” Outline Response
Mpumalanga Police Spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdluli, confirmed the incidents are a major concern for the South African Police Service (SAPS). He revealed that the acting provincial commissioner has ordered all station commanders to collaborate directly with faith-based organizations.
Brigadier Mdluli addressed the difficult advice given to congregants to avoid bringing valuables to church, acknowledging the shocking nature of the recommendation.
“We are not saying that people should not go with their valuables because… you have to use your vehicle [and] a cell phone is something that people nowadays are always carrying,” Mdluli stated. Instead, he emphasized a need for collaborative efforts through community policing forums.
A key part of the police strategy is appealing to the public not to fuel the crime. “They should not buy suspected stolen properties,” Mdluli urged, explaining that a market for stolen goods, like iPhones sold at cheap prices, encourages criminals to continue their operations. He called on community members to report anyone, including family members, found with suspicious property.
Robberies Deemed “Organized” as Police Make Inroads
When questioned on the nature of the crimes, Brigadier Mdluli indicated that preliminary findings suggest the perpetrators are both opportunistic and organized.
“They know people who normally go to churches don’t carry firearms; they are in a relaxed mode,” he said, highlighting the easy opportunity. However, he also described an organized pattern, with groups of suspects entering churches and firing shots to intimidate and scare congregants before robbing them.
The Brigadier reported some successes, noting arrests had been made in connection with similar church robberies in Witbank and the recovery of stolen vehicles at Kwaggafontein. He confirmed that suspects from the first Mkhuhlu robbery on the 20th had been arrested and a vehicle recovered, but the force is still working to apprehend those responsible for the most recent attack.
Mdluli framed the issue as a symptom of a larger societal problem, calling the targeting of holy sites a sign of “moral decay.” He stressed that defeating this new threat would require a united front from police, churches, and the community, with intensified patrols and intelligence-led operations already underway.
Despite these measures, the community remains on edge as police work to prevent a third incident.
