Christ the New Man Catholic Church has become one of several places of worship targeted by criminals in Ga-Rankuwa.
On May 24, a man was caught stealing from Christ the New Man Catholic Church in Zone 3, Ga-Rankuwa. The suspect allegedly stole lights, solar panels and cables in the early hours of the morning.
The incident highlights a growing trend of criminals targeting places of worship in the area. The suspect was apprehended on site with the assistance of a local security team and community residents. The stolen items were recovered at the scene.
“I heard noise in the churchyard. Since I was not asleep, I wondered who would be at the church at that time. I looked out of my window to see what was happening and saw people wearing reflective clothing and carrying torches. When I went outside, I found that the security guards had caught the perpetrator,” said a local resident.
Residents praised a local security company, known as “Game Changers”, for its efforts in helping the community combat crime.
The rise in crime targeting places of worship comes amid broader concerns about vandalism and theft at religious institutions in parts of South Africa. Many churches now fear for their safety and the possibility of becoming victims. This is not the first incident reported at a church in Ga-Rankuwa.
SAPS Ga-Rankuwa communications officer, Mr Shimi Tsheole, said: “We previously had incidents where churches were targeted for musical instruments; however, these cases have decreased in the past few months. There have been isolated incidents, such as muggings during church services where phones were stolen while members were present, and those cases have been dealt with accordingly.”
The rise in crime against churches has become a national concern, with criminals targeting places of worship during services and late at night. The incidents highlight the need for strengthened security measures and closer cooperation between SAPS and community members to address crime effectively.