Toba Owojaiye Reporting
The Ghanaian High Commission in South Africa has officially verified a disturbing incident involving a church robbery and the abduction of a Ghanaian deacon. This unsettling occurrence transpired within the premises of a Johannesburg branch of The Church of Pentecost in South Africa, unfolding during a live church service broadcast.
The perpetrators, believed to be armed robbers, brazenly collected valuables from church members at gunpoint before apprehending the church deacon. The deacon’s current whereabouts remain shrouded in uncertainty, casting a cloud of concern over the entire situation.
This alarming event unfolded on Sunday, October 29, 2023, and has sent shockwaves through the Ghanaian community in South Africa. To address this crisis, the Ghanaian High Commission, in a notice dated October 30, 2023, has taken swift action by collaborating closely with local law enforcement.
Their primary objective is to secure the rapid and secure release of the kidnapped deacon and reunite him with his family. In the words of the High Commission, “Kindly note that the South African police is fully focused on the matter and is working hard to ensure the safe return of our compatriot.”
In light of these distressing developments, the Ghanaian Mission has also extended a precautionary advisory to all members of the Ghanaian community residing in South Africa. They are urged to take all necessary measures to safeguard their own well-being and security during this unsettling period. The incident has not only left the church community in shock but has prompted a collaborative effort between Ghanaian authorities and the South African police to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure the safe return of the kidnapped deacon.