THE ACCUSED SENT TO JAIL

Four people accused of the murder of two congregants of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC) in Mabopane were denied bail by the Pretoria High Court this week.

The suspects were remanded in custody pending further investigations. It is believed IPHC members were at a meeting last week when a group of men stormed the building and started beating them up.

Witnesses claimed the assailants had arrived at the church in a minibus taxi.

“A church member identified as Peter Nkomo was killed during the fight. Another man, still to be identified, died later in hospital,” said Makhubela,  the police spokesperson

Caption: Suspects denied bail

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Makhubela said that the four suspects were arrested after church members who witnessed the incident cooperated with the police.

“We believe that more suspects were involved, and we are continuing with the investigation,” he said.

It is believed the violence was sparked by a disagreement regarding the new leadership committee of the church following the death of founder Glayton Modise in February. The church has been embroiled in litigation and succession battles since.

Last Thursday, the North Gauteng High Court set aside its March interim order which had placed the church’s finances and administrative services under the control of the founder’s son Tshepiso Modise.