Armed robbers have attacked the Ghanaian Church of Pentecost in Johannesburg during a Church service.
The resident pastor was delivering the day’s sermon when the criminals stormed the worship centre.
Having gained entrance into the Church auditorium, the assailants brandished pistols and ordered the worshippers to lie flat on the floor.
The Pastor and entire congregation immediately complied while the bandits proceeded to confiscate their wallets, mobile phones and other valuable possessions.
Not satisfied with their stash, the robbers targeted the preacher, coercing him to lead them to the treasury where the Church’s money was stored.
Babies in the Church who had no idea what was going and were probably forced facedown by their parents, kept screaming. Luckily, the cries did not agitate the thieves as they continued their operation for the better part of 10 minutes.
The clergyman was subsequently abducted by the criminals and taken to an unknown location.
The incident was captured by the Church’s stationary camera.
Reacting, the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria, in a statement to the Ghanaian Community in South Africa, expressed worry over the incident.
“The attention of the High Commission of the Republic of Ghana has been drawn to an incident in which members of the congregation of the Johannesburg branch of the Ghanaian Church of Pentecost were robbed of their valuables at gunpoint and a Deacon of the church kidnapped during church service,” the statement read.
It added: “The Mission is presently working with the Church in cooperation with the South Africa Police Service (SAPS) to ensure the speedy and safe release and return of the victim to his family.
“Kindly note that the South African Police is fully focused on the matter and is working hard to ensure the safe return of our compatriots.”
“In order to forestall such occurrences, the High Commission urged the people to take precautions in ensuring their safety.
“Mission wishes to advise all members of the Ghanaian community to take necessary/precautions to ensure their safety and well-being and will update the Community of any further developments related to the case.”