CHURCHMEN yesterday prayed at the sites in Ngcobo where five cops were found dead after being brutally shot last month.
They were allegedly killed by members of the controversial Mancoba Seven Angels Church congregation.
Pastors from various churches and provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Liziwe Nshinga started praying at the police station, where three cops were killed.
They then went to nearby Nyanga High School, where two bodies were found and then to another site where three North West cops died in an accident a day after the shooting.
They ended their prayer session at the Mancoba premises, where seven people also died last month in a gun battle with the cops.
Short prayers were said and water was sprinkled at the sites.
Speaking outside the church house after pastors went inside to pray for his mum, the only brother still living at home, Benjamin Mancoba (22), said he’s in pain.
He said his brothers Xolisa, Philisa and Thandazile were cremated in East London and their ashes thrown into the Kei River, as is done in their family. His other brothers, Banele, Ephraim and Phuthumile are in jail.
Phuthumile faces five counts of murder, two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder and possession of an unlicenced firearm.
He will appear in court today to apply for bail, while Banele and Ephraim face a charge of conspiracy to commit robbery.
At the local police station, Ntshinga found staff carrying on with their work after the tragedy that rocked the town last month.
She said they must continue their work of protecting themselves and others, and suggested they patrol around the premises.
Ntshinga asked them whether they wanted guards at the gates. They asked for station security to be upgraded and for a new gate at the entrance.
