The congregation of the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) church in Mpumalanga of Bushiri. Led by the self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri, found themselves in the midst of a startling ordeal that unfolded on Saturday, 11 August. A daring heist orchestrated by armed robbers took place during a night vigil, leaving the community reeling and perturbed. This audacious event marked a jarring interruption in what should have been a sacred and serene gathering, as reported by iHarare.
The incident transpired when three audacious robbers brazenly forced their way through the church doors. Hence, plunging the congregation into a state of shock. Armed with handguns and their identities concealed by masks, the robbers stormed into the church while members were still assembling. Police spokesperson Brig Selvy Mohlala recounted the events. Sharing that the robbers initiated their intrusion with an air of calculated aggression.
Amid the confusion and mounting tension, the robbers made their intentions unequivocally clear. Their demands reverberated through the church as they targeted the congregants. While some members were still en route to the gathering .
The three assailants struck with a blend of audacity and malevolence. Reports suggest that an undisclosed sum of money, along with 14 cell phones and bank cards belonging to the attendees, were snatched.
Furthermore, in a chilling escalation, the perpetrators also wrested the victims’ bank cards from them and, in a disturbing turn, coerced them into revealing their personal identification numbers. With their loot secured, the robbers fled the scene, exacerbating the turmoil and leaving a wake . Astonishingly, they escaped in a vehicle belonging to one of the unfortunate victims.
While the recovery of the VW Polo Vivo served as a partial consolation, the trauma inflicted upon the congregation and the violation of their sacred space cast a lingering shadow.
The Mpumalanga police launched a rigorous investigation into this audacious robbery. Which unfolded around 21:30 that fateful night, as disclosed by The Citizen. Brigadier Selvy Mohlala provided insights into the grim details. Revealing that, at the time of the robbery, 10 church members were present.
in conclusion, In solidarity with the aggrieved congregation, Lieutenant-General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, asserted that the perpetrators would not evade justice. The words of reassurance from law enforcement aimed to mend the shattered sense of security within the community, signaling that their pursuit of justice was unwavering.
