High Commission of Ghana in SA speaks on robbery at Ghanaian church in Jo’burg during service (Video)

Armed robbers entered the South African branch of the Ghana-based Church of Pentecost in Johannesburg during a church service, robbing congregants and kidnapping a Ghanaian deacon.

The robbery happened on Sunday, October 29, 2023, when the preaching was underway.

The armed men burst into the church with their arms drawn, forcing the preacher to go down on his belly.

The armed men can be seen ransacking the body of the preacher, taking his phone and other valuables they could see.

The robbery was captured live by the camera set up to record the preaching.

The armed men robbed the congregants too who were out of the camera’s frame, but the voice of the robbers commanding them to give up their valuables can be heard.

A frightened child can also be heard crying uncontrollably.

In a statement released on October 30, 2023, the High Commission of Ghana confirmed that the armed robbers kidnapped a deacon of the Church of Pentecost.

“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 and Deacon of the church kidnapped during church service on 29th October, 2023,” the Mission said.

“The Mission is presently working with the Church in cooperation with the South Africa Police Service (SAPS) to ensure the speedy and safe release and return of the victim to his family. Kindly note that the South Africa Police is fully focused on the matter and is working hard to ensure the safe return of our compatriot,” the Mission said.

Members of the Ghanaian community in South Africa were also counselled by the Ghanaian High Commission to take the required safety and well-being precautions.

One of the bandits came up to the pulpit and forced the minister to show them where the money was kept.

Watch the robbery here.