At least three people were injured and 15 vehicles were stoned during what initially appeared to be a hostage situation at a church on Thursday morning (1 November).
Captain Mavela Masondo, Provincial Police spokesperson denied these rumours and said that a case of attempted murder and malicious damage to property is being investigated by the police.
Read the initial article here:
IN PHOTOS: Man shot in Zuurbekom church shootout
“No one was held hostage but there was a disagreement between two groups in the International Pentecost Holiness Church (IPHC) building, which escalated into a shootout. The person who was shot as well as the other two who were injured during the fight are in a stable condition,” said Masondo.
He said that at least 200 people were present during the confrontation and that 12 vehicles were severely damaged. The police, as well as forensics experts, investigated the scene and no arrests have been made as yet.
“I cannot disclose how many firearms were confiscated but there were quite a few. Ballistic tests are being performed on them to find out which one was used to shoot the victim,” he said.
The big question is how could a quarrel among church members escalate to a shootout. “There has been a rivalry between these groups for a long time and today it reached boiling point,” he said.
According to Captain Andile Moshani, West Rand Cluster Operation commander these two groups were separated and questioned.
“We have found that one group was upset, allegedly because the founder of the church is retiring and leaving his son in charge. One group was inside the church while the other group stormed the church.”
Many innocent people have been affected by this incident because of the broad scope of the investigation.
“There is a large residential area inside the church grounds and many of these people had nothing to do with the quarrel. But they cooperated and helped us in any way they could,” he said.
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