Gunfight at Modise Church Headquarters Leaves Five Dead

The International Pentecost Holiness Church, known as Modise church, found itself at the center of a violent confrontation at its headquarters in Zuurbekom, west of Johannesburg. Over 40 armed individuals reportedly stormed the property in the early hours of Saturday, leading to a deadly clash with security personnel that resulted in five deaths. The incident has intensified tensions between two factions within the church, one led by Leonard Modise and the other by his half brother, Michael Sandlana.

The factions have since blamed each other for the violence. Leonard Modise’s group alleged that the attackers were sent by Sandlana and were heavily armed. In response, Sandlana’s spokesperson, Vusi Ndala, denied any involvement in the attack, stating that the victims were worshippers who had come to pray at the site. Witnesses and a security guard who was on duty reported that the assailants arrived disguised as police officers, led by a BMW 3 series flanked by two Toyota Quantum minibuses.

Eyewitnesses described the attackers as having entered the property through a delivery entrance, using the knowledge of a former member to bypass security. Security guard MacLean Kalane noted that the attackers gained access through the south gate, which is typically used by delivery trucks and suppliers. The attackers reportedly removed residents from their flats and confined them to a hall known as the “white house” before police arrived.

Abiel Wessie, convenor of the church council at IPHC, drew parallels between the current attack and previous incidents involving Sandlana’s faction. He mentioned a similar strategy used in January 2020 when Sandlana’s group seized property in Pienaarsrivier, Limpopo, and again in May 2019 during the IPHC’s Mt Zion Pilgrimage in Blaauwberg, Western Cape. Wessie accused the other faction of engaging in criminal activities, which he said had been escalated to police minister Bheki Cele.

According to police reports, approximately 46 individuals were arrested at the scene, and 68 firearms were recovered, including 17 rifles, 24 shotguns, and 27 pistols. The court case against the suspects has been struck off the roll, leaving the legal proceedings uncertain. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of church members and the broader implications for the church’s leadership and governance.

Source: Read the original report