Church Of Pentecost In SA Robbed, Deacon Abducted During Service

A branch of the Church of Pentecost Ghana in Johannesburg, South Africa, was robbed at gunpoint during a service on Sunday, October 29, 2023.

A video of the incident, intercepted by opemsuo.com, showed the church’s leader at the pulpit preaching. He suddenly flinched, raised his hand, and knelt.

The four minutes, forty-nine seconds video showed the church’s organist, who was seated behind the pulpit, lying down. Then, a hand appeared clutching a gun pointed at them. Two of the robbers were seen moving back and forth on the pulpit, picking up any valuables they laid their eyes and hands on.

The video captured just the event on the pulpit without the congregation.

Confirming the incident in a statement, the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria said, “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.”

It also confirmed a Deacon of the church was kidnapped.

It added that it was working with the Church and the South Africa Police Service (SAPS) to ensure the “speedy and safe” release and return of the victim.

“Mission wishes to advise all members of the Ghanaian community to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and wellbeing. Mission will update the Community of any further developments related to the case.”