WATCH | 'Prophet' shot dead, two injured as robbers accost congregation in Newlands church

A guest pastor was shot dead and two people injured at Eagle Christian Church in Newlands, Johannesburg, during a live service on Friday when six armed men entered the church.

Police spokesperson Col Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said a case of murder and two counts of attempted murder had been opened for investigation.

“A group of about six unknown men accosted a congregation in a church in Newlands. The suspects fired shots and three people were injured,” she said.

The assailants robbed congregants of their cellphones and other belongings before fleeing the scene.

Police were searching for the suspects, she said.

Eagle Christian Church has identified the dead pastor as Prophet Dwayne Gordon.

A widely shared video of the incident showed Gordon, who was busy thanking the hosting pastor for allowing him to minister to the congregation, being accosted by the suspects. He begins to move away from the pulpit and a clicking sound of a gun can be heard. Some congregants start screaming while others begin praying.

“Blood of Jesus” some of the congregants are heard uttering during the ordeal and a gunshot goes off.

The church said it would take additional security measures to ensure their congregation's safety during future gatherings.

It added it was co-operating fully with law enforcement to ensure those responsible for the “heinous” act were brought to justice.

“At Eagle Christian Centre our faith remains unshaken. We believe that in the face of adversity we must come together as a community, demonstrating love, compassion and unwavering support for one another. We will continue to provide spiritual guidance and strength to our congregation during this challenging time.

“We kindly ask for your continued prayers, support, and love as we mourn the loss of Prophet Dwayne Gordon and support those who have been affected by this tragedy. Together, as one strong and faithful community, we will find solace and strength in our shared faith,” said the church.

The African Christian Democratic Party has condemned the incident.

ACDP deputy president Wayne Thring said the church was no longer sacred for criminals.

“The greed and moral depravity of the criminals drive them into the hallowed walls of Christian worship, intent to cause as much harm as possible. The rise of violent crime is a dual indicator of the incapacity of SAPS and crime-fighting units in South Africa to not only apprehend criminals but also to prevent crime from occurring in the first instance. Second, it is an indication of the rise of moral decadence, a move away from the rule of law and an attack on the body of Christ as a whole,” Thring said

Thring appealed to police minister Bheki Cele and the SAPS to leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators to book.

TimesLIVE