By OBAKENG MAJE
The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West has condemned the robbery during which congregants were allegedly robbed of their valued possessions at a church in Y100 Section, Jouberton Township, outside Klerksdorp on Thursday night. It is alleged that a church gathering was stormed by five unknown gunmen wearing balaclavas.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said, a church member was allegedly outside and on the phone when balaclava wearing suspects pointed him with firearms and instructed him to get inside the church.
Funani said the suspects then ordered the congregants to lie down. She further said they allegedly searched and robbed them of cash, handbags and cell phones before fleeing from the scene on foot.
“The police were called and a charge of business robbery was opened. The police request anyone who may have information that can assist in the investigations to contact the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Bantjies on 082 568 6086 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
“Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via the MySAPS App on one’ smartphone,” she said.
Meanwhile, the MRM provincial convenor, Lesiba Kgwele said, the civil society led movement promoting the charter of positive values, including ethical and moral leadership, described the brazen robbery not only as a disgrace, but a barbaric act that has defiled the sanctity of Good Friday as well as the Passover weekend.
Kgwele said that opportunistic crimes of this nature targeted at church gatherings and other places of worship, are threatening congregants’ constitutional right of freedom of assembly.
“No one will be safe until the marauding heartless gang is behind bars. We therefore call on our communities to assist police, who have launched a manhunt in pursuit of the robbers in their investigations.
“We also appeal to communities to unite in action against the cycle of violence and gangsterism prevalent in the area by reclaiming their activism in order to promote and harness collective responsibility among communities within the spirit of Ubuntu,” he said.
Kgwele further said the effort to tackle the scourge of gangsterism in Matlosana must be bolstered and a strong partnership with the communities established in order to restore the rule of law, as well as residents’ confidence in the criminal justice system.
TaungDailyNews 