CRIMINALS no longer have respect for the houses of the Lord.
Churches in Seshego outside Polokwane in Limpopo are under attack as there is an alleged syndicate breaking into churches and stealing equipment.
More than 10 churches have already been affected in the past four months. The African Methodist Episcopal Church in Seshego zone 1 has also been affected as criminals broke into the church three times within two months.
Criminals broke into the church on 27 and 28 June and stole pressure pumps and water pipes. While the church was still trying to recover, the thugs returned on Sunday, 9 July, and stole cutlery, a gas stove, two gas cylinders, and pressure pumps, all to the value of R45 000.
Pastor Allen Sefora said the thugs broke the security gates to gain access to the church’s offices.
“They come in between 1am to 3am, and no one saw or heard anything. These thugs go exactly where the equipment are stored. It’s like someone told them,” he said.
He said this was not the first time criminals attacked the church.
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“They broke in last year during winter and stole clothes, cutlery, and a music system. These criminals no longer fear the house of God,” he said.
Sefora told Daily Sun that all the equipment the criminals stole was bought by members of the church through contributions and tithes. He said this has taken them backwards, as it would cost them a lot to replace the stolen equipment.
He said now residents and pupils are suffering.
“We used to allow residents to come and get water from our borehole when they don’t have water, but now they are suffering because they stole our pressure pump,” he said.
The Church’s Women Missionary Society president, Mpelege Monyai, called upon anyone who has information about the stolen equipment to come to the church or contact their nearest police station.
Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said they are investigating the break-in at the church.
“There is no arrest so far, but we are following possible leads,” he said.
