A WENTWORTH congregation had a close call at the AFM church on Lubbe Road when a man threw a lit petrol bomb on Sunday night, 29 April.
Pastor Donovan Anderson said church was packed due to a combined mass and a mother and her child were sitting outside on the bench during the sermon. “We heard a scream and saw her run into the church with her child in her arms ,” said Pastor Anderson. The woman said she saw a silhouette of a man standing across the road from the church when he started to raise his arm. “The next thing she saw this missile come towards her, almost hitting her and her child. Luckily it did not hurt her or land inside the church,” added the pastor. Luckily the bomb did not go off but shattered as it hit the ground, diffusing in the process.
We heard a scream and saw her run into the church with her child in her arms
Upon investigation, the missile turned out to be a petrol bomb. Wentworth SAPS and other officials were called in to investigate but how the investigation was conducted has left little hope in the people for justice to be served. According to witnesses at the church one of the policemen who attended the scene tampered with evidence in front of the congregation. A source who did not want to be named said the cop began to tramp on the glass from the broken bomb and allegedly removed the wick of the petrol bomb. “Who can we trust since we have cops doing this,? They are protecting the wrong people,” said the man.
Anderson and other pastors in the area are known for patrolling Wentworth schools that are affected by drugs and violence. He is also a member of the Merewent community crime prevention association (MCCP). “They are trying to scare us by attacking the church but they don’t know this only makes us more determined to work harder in making Wentworth a better place. We cannot allow a minority to rule this place. I want them to see that an attack on a place of worship is an attack on the entire community,” he said.
“I urge the community to stand up. As ministers we are tired of burying our children every week. The only way this will end is if people stand together and start making a difference. They are targeting community leaders who are trying to change Wentworth but as the community we are allowing this minority to hold us hostage,” added Anderson.
I urge the community to stand up. As ministers we are tired of burying our children every week.
Jean Choudree, member of the Merewent crime prevention forum (CPF) said people have lost faith and trust in police. “Some are calling for a lock-down and want the army brought in. We need to also ask why residents are so afraid to come forward and how some are perpetuating the problem of drug peddlars,” she said.
Local councillor Aubrey Snyman said it is not right for people to do such things. “It shows their lack of respect for a place of worship let alone human life. We are talking about innocent people being put in danger. They must bare the consequences of their actions,” said Cllr Snyman.
He asks the community to stop hiding behind social media and attend meetings where solutions are needed. “Instead of commenting on social media we, as a community, need to stand together and commit to finding a solution. The violence has escalated over the past weeks and innocent people are dying in this unnecessary war. It all boils down to drugs and this community needs a lot of prayer and an united front to show these people who are hell-bent on destroying us that we are not afraid, that we will not allow fear to rule us and the future of our children,” he added.
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