Tuesday evening, two individuals were shot and killed while attempting a heist at a mosque in Kensington, Johannesburg.
Thursday, the police reported that a third suspect was apprehended in connection with the failed heist. The provincial police spokesman, Dimakatso Sello, stated that the incident occurred during a religious session.
“It is reported that three African men attempted to loot the Muslim Mosque in Kensington on January 17, 2023, about 9 p.m. According to Sello, one of the mosque members replied by shooting two of the three suspects, resulting in their deaths.
“While police responded to the crime scene, an unknown individual or individuals opened fire.” Two persons, including a police officer, sustained gunshot wounds during the gunfight. Both patients were transported to the hospital for treatment.
Two instances of murder and attempted murder, as well as attempted commercial robbery, have been initiated for additional investigation following the arrest of one suspect.
According to media sources, Qari Moosa Seedat, the director of the mosque, stated that the incident occurred after 9 p.m.
“About the time of the evening prayer, at 9:00 p.m., a robbery was occurring at the mosque. People were in the process of praying, Seedat was quoted as saying.
“We don’t know how many men entered, but when one brother saw armed individuals, he immediately turned around and fired in self-defense. We don’t know how many there were in all, but we’ll leave the inquiry to the authorities.”
»Shooting inside a mosque results in two deaths and one arrest«