It was just before midnight 23:45 on Friday when five trigger happy suspects invaded a church service in Diepsloot. The suspects robbed and shot dead a pastor and left two congregants from Holiness Christian Revival Ministries seriously injured. It was not the first time the church was attacked, according to congregants and the family is saying that the cops must not leave any stone unturned and bring the criminals to book.The incident comes after residents were protesting against high crime levels in their area. They matched to their local police station to deliver a memorandum of all their crime related  grievances. On top of their list was a request to the Police Minister Bheki Cele to bring back the Police Tactical Response Team "Amaberete" to their Township.

HARBOURING CRIMINALS

During their protests residents also targeted Zimbabwean tent churches that occupied open velds in Diepsloot. They claimed its those very churches that harbour criminals and cleansed them after they've committed crimes. SAPS spokesman Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that three of the people who were shot, including the pastor, were taken to a local medical centre where the pastor died on arrival. He said the other two are in a serious but stable condition.

CONGREGANTS ROBBED OF THEIR BELONGINGS IN CHURCH

Masondo explained that the 50 congregants were also robbed of their personal belongings before the suspects fled. "A case of murder, attempted murder and business robbery has been opened and police are searching for the suspects. Anyone who might have information that can help the investigation or assist in the apprehension of suspects can call the nearest police station or crime stop on 08600 10111."