Picture: SAUCIC President, Cardinal Archbishop Dr Modiri Patrick Shole /Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
8 September 2025- The South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC) President, Cardinal Archbishop Dr Modiri Patrick Shole on Sunday condemned an attempted robbery at Kwaggafontein Mosque in Mpumalanga during which two worshippers sustained gunshot wounds. Shole said one robber was reportedly fatally wounded on the scene during an exchange of gunfire.
He further said according to media reports, the latest incident and violent confrontation with local worshippers and Pakistan nationals occurred at a mosque near Kwa-Mahlangu Butchery on Friday night. Shole added that the robber who died at the scene has since been identified as Melusi Mabena (22), while his unknown accomplices are still at large.
“We wish the worshippers who were hospitalised for treatment a speedy recovery adding that the spate of robberies targeted at faith gatherings are appalling violent acts that are threatening these communities.
“Earlier this year, a gang robbed scores of congregants at the same place of worship. And an “Imaam” was murdered in a subsequent incident. None of our communities will be safer with armed heartless criminals responsible for such heinous acts roaming our streets and neighbourhoods,” he said.
Shole said a concerted effort must therefore be intensified to bring the other culprits that are still at large behind bars. He mentioned that brazen robberies and opportunistic violent crimes of this nature targeted at churches and other places of worship are not only a disgrace, but barbaric acts that defile the sanctity of places of worship.
“Opportunistic violent crimes targeted at faith gatherings and other places of worship are threatening the constitutional right of freedom of assembly and should be confronted head-on to nip the escalating trend in the bud.
“The effort to tackle the scourge of violent crime threatening our communities must be bolstered and a stronger partnership with our police established,” Shole underscored.
He appealed to communities to unite in action against violent crime in order to rid communities of illegal firearms by reclaiming their activism in support of crime prevention structures and community policing. Shole called for increased police visibility and patrols in communities and appealed to churches to inform law enforcement and crime prevention structures whenever they are hosting evening gatherings.
“While we have encouraged churches to take precautionary measures such as minimizing cash during services, installing security cameras and engaging private security companies, this does not in any way exonerate our police from their responsibility to prioritise the safety of churches in their operational plans.
“We commend the police for the swift arrest of five suspects that allegedly robbed a church in Ngwenyeni village near Komatipoort around 03:30 on Saturday morning,” he said.
The Guardian 