Churchgoers face court rap

Police in Mahwelereng outside Mokopane have arrested 23 members of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) for various offences, including public violence, Limpopo police said yesterday.

The arrests emanated from an incident of public violence which took place at about 3pm on Saturday at Danisani village in the Mapela area, Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said.

“It is alleged that two rival groups of the church had an altercation during a church service, where other members then went on the rampage and started assaulting several people and damaged vehicles which were parked within the church premises,” he said.

Police were summoned to the scene and arrested 23 suspects, aged between 14 and 23, for public violence, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, common assault and malicious damage to property.

During the arrests, police confiscated more than 20 petrol bombs, one knife, four “big sticks” and a five-litre container. Two church members were taken to hospital after sustaining serious injuries.

The suspects are scheduled to appear in the Mokerong Magistrate’s Court today. Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nneke Ledwaba condemned the violent behaviour of the congregants. – ANA