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SOUTH AFRICA: Five people killed in attack over church leadership, as COVID-19 cases surge

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SOUTH AFRICA: Five people killed in attack over church attack leadership, as COVID-19 cases surge

Tragedy struck in the outskirts of Johannesburg when no fewer than five people were killed after attackers stormed a church in the capital, reportedly amid an argument over its leadership.

Local police said they had rescued men, women and children from a “hostage situation” on the outskirts of Johannesburg on Saturday morning.

They have also arrested at least 40 people, and seized dozens of weapons from the attackers.

According to national police spokesperson Brigadier Vish Naidoo, a group of attackers indicated to those inside “that they were coming to take over the premises”.

READ ALSO: South Africa extends COVID-19 lockdown by two weeks

He said four people had been found shot and burnt to death in cars, while a security guard, who was thought to have been responding to the incident, was also fatally shot.

Meanwhile, South Africa is reeling from COVID-19 as it has reported 13,497 new cases, reaching a total of 264,184 including 3,971 deaths. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize warns of a COVID-19 “storm”.

Reports say more than a third of cases are in the new hot spot of Gauteng province, which includes Johannesburg and the capital, Pretoria.

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