A church that was wrongly demolished in September 2014 is now facing the wrath of criminals who keep on stealing from and vandalising their temporary structure.
According to Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) pastor, David Molo, they have been struggling to keep the facility safe from thugs, but they keep on coming back. On 13 March, at about 4pm, three suspects were caught in the act of stealing the church’s gate. The police arrested them and took them to the Roodepoort police station.
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Molo explained how crime has affected the church ever since they moved to the area six years ago. “I am disappointed that criminals keep on stealing the church’s property. At first it was the precast boundary wall, then they stole the corrugated iron sheets that we used as a temporary structure and the signboard – which was tracked to a local scrap yard. After the iron sheets were stolen, we erected a tent, but the criminals went as far as cutting off its roof,” he said.
Molo said his church, which is located at the corner of Randfontein Road and Corlett Drive, is unsafe because of the open field and tall grass surrounding it. He said the municipality does not take care of the area, because the grass has never been cut.
He also added that he’s waiting for the City of Johannesburg to grant him a section 25 permit, which will enable him to own the land and register it in his name so that he can start building a permanent structure with high walls to curb the crime.
Molo said further, “In September 2014, Red Ants Security and Eviction Services received instructions to demolish a makeshift structure ‘close to the river just below the big rock dump’.
They then proceeded to demolish the church building. It was later discovered that the wrong building had been demolished. The case was taken to court but has been not finalised”.
He concluded by pleading with the community to donate or sponsor precast slabs and building rubble.
You can contact Pastor Molo on 082 759 2888 or email kefentseofentse97@gmail.com.
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