News24
11 Jul 2020, 16:10 GMT+10
A church hostage drama has left five people dead and 30 arrested in Zuurbekom, Gauteng, in the early hours of Saturday morning.
According to police, the incident took place at the International Pentecost Holiness Church. Police responded to reports of a hostage situation and shooting at around 03:00.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peters said more than 25 firearms had been seized.
"The scene is still active with SAPS hostage negotiators," Peters said.
In November 2018, two factions from the church confronted each other outside the church's headquarters in Silo, Zuurbekom, west of Johannesburg, News24 reported.
The clash took place when a convoy of vehicles carrying worshippers arrived and parked outside the church.
Former Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo at the time said: "As they were about to enter the church premises, another group which was inside the church charged at them. They confronted each other. During their confrontation, firearms were pulled out and three people were injured.
READ | Police visibility beefed up as 2 rival church groups clash in Joburg
"One was shot in his shoulder. The three injured men were taken to hospital. We managed to seize loaded firearms."
About 12 cars belonging to church members were badly damaged in the skirmish. Items from inside the damaged vehicles were strewn on the street.
Clashes over the leadership of the church have led to several court battles, following the death of the church's leader Glayton Modise. The church has over 3 million worshipers from South Africa and neighbouring countries.
Get a daily dose of Madagascar Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Madagascar Sun.
More Information(250228) -- TUNIS, Feb. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- A boy observes the moon through a telescope at an observatory in Tunis, Tunisia, on Feb....
Lahore [Pakistan], February 28 (ANI): Australia have secured a spot in the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after a rain-affected...
Karachi [Pakistan], February 28 (ANI): Jos Buttler has announced his decision to step down from England's white-ball captaincy duties...
London [UK], February 28 (ANI): South Africa's seasoned pacer Dane Paterson has signed for Middlesex Cricket for the first half of...
(Photo credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images) Aces were wild Friday as Dale Whitnell tallied two holes-in-one in the second round of...
GABORONE, BOTSWANA — Southern Africa energy experts and political leaders pledged to improve access to energy at a summit in Botswana...
ABOARD THE CHARLES DE GAULLE, Philippines: France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and its warships arrived in the Philippines over...
FRESNO, California: Fresno State suspended two of its top men's basketball players last weekend and removed a third player from the...
WARSAW, Poland: Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski confirmed over the weekend that Poland has been covering the cost of Ukraine's...
Israel sustained the West's support for its slaughter in Gaza for 15 months only through an intensive campaign of lies. It invented...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Pentagon announced this week that it will cut 5,400 jobs as part of President Donald Trump's plan to shrink the...
SACRAMENTO, California: California Governor Gavin Newsom is urging Congress to approve nearly US$40 billion in federal assistance to...