23 arrested as rival church groups clash

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 public violence at about 3pm on Saturday at Danisani village in the Mapela area, Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said:“It is alleged that two rival groups had an altercation during a church service. Members went on the rampage and assaulted people and damaged vehicles parked within the church premises.”

Police were summoned and arrested 23 suspects, aged 14 to 23, for public violence, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and malicious damage to property. They confiscated more than 20 petrol bombs, a knife and four “big sticks”. Two seriously injured church members were taken to hospital.

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