After a series of church robberies across Cape Town, concerns have been raised about the safety of church congregants, while security measures have been increased to ensure their safety.
The most recent incident occurred on Monday, 24 June, when armed gunmen stormed a church in Goodwood and robbed all 15 congregants inside, as reported by News24.
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It was confirmed that five armed men entered the church and committed the robberies, according to Anelisiwe Manyana, Western Cape police spokesperson.
‘They threatened the congregants and took their belongings. The suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested,’ said Manyana.
The South African Council of Churches (SACC) became aware of the criminal instances through ‘informal conversations’ as churches were independent affiliates, according to Reverend Sikawu Makubalo, SACC provincial spokesperson.
‘We haven’t yet viewed [the incidents] as a noticed increase, however, the SACC in the Western Cape is concerned about the vulnerability of churches as easy targets for crime,’ said Makubalo.
Makubalo added that churches were ‘vulnerable due to its ethos and theology’.
‘The church should be open and accessible to all people,’ said Makubalo.
The attack on the church in Goodwood was worrying as criminals aimed to target the offerings congregants brought into the church, according to Michael Weeder, former Dean of St George’s Cathedral.
‘Churches have to now review how they receive offerings from people. It’s a wonderful feeling when one can put money into the collection plate when attending services, but now churches are being compelled to be wiser about how we engage criminality,’ said Weeder.
‘It’s a very sad reality, but that is how we have to look at things going forward due to criminal activities taking place within our churches,’ Weeder added.
Weeder recalled that during his tenure as the dean, ‘plenty of petty thefts’ took place within the church.
‘We often had to advise congregants not to leave their bags on the benches or the ground when they come up for Holy Communion because of the thefts that would take place inside the church when congregants leave their belongings unattended,’ said Weeder.
Weeder, however, believed that attendance would not be affected due to criminal activities.
‘I don’t think the attendance is dropping, but the rate of giving and what people bring to church would be reconfigured in terms of the theft they face when they go to church,’ said Weeder.
Robberies in churches have also become a ‘significant problem’, especially in the townships, according to pastor Nkosi Mbedzi of the Christian Reformed Church in Belhar.
‘I am also scared as a pastor because I have seen pastors get killed while preaching in church,’ said Mbedzi.
Other churches, such as the Apostolic Faith Mission Church in Retreat, have increased their security measures, such as the doors and gates that would be locked once the service starts.
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