A sacred evening shattered by fear

What should have been a quiet night of prayer turned into a terrifying ordeal when armed suspects stormed Zayoni Kingdom Catholic Church in Waterloo, KwaZulu-Natal, on Friday evening. About 60 worshippers, including children, were gathered inside the church on Lily Road when the attack unfolded shortly after 9 p.m.

Eyewitnesses described the panic as two men dressed in black burst in carrying firearms. “We were in the middle of prayer when they walked in. At first, we thought maybe they were latecomers, but then they raised their guns,” said one congregant, who asked not to be named for safety reasons.

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How the Waterloo Church robbery unfolded

According to information shared with Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), the suspects ordered everyone to remain still before demanding mobile phones. In a matter of minutes, they collected 46 devices from frightened worshippers, stuffing them into a plastic packet.

“The way they moved showed they knew exactly what they wanted. They didn’t touch the offering basket or ask for money. They just went after the phones,” said another eyewitness.

The robbers left as quickly as they entered. It remains unclear whether they fled on foot or had a getaway vehicle waiting outside.

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No injuries, but deep scars

While no one was physically harmed, congregants say the emotional toll is heavy. Parents held tightly onto their children as the men left. Some described the fear of hearing a gun cock inside a place meant to offer peace.

Father Sipho M., who was leading the service, expressed his concern: “Our church is supposed to be a safe space where people find comfort. For criminals to come in and violate that space—it is heartbreaking.”

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Police investigation and community response

Police have opened a case of armed robbery and are appealing to anyone with information to come forward. RUSA officers who responded to the scene confirmed the scale of the theft but could not immediately confirm whether CCTV cameras nearby captured the suspects’ escape.

Incidents of church robberies in KwaZulu-Natal have raised alarm in recent years, with communities calling for stronger police patrols in residential areas during evening services.

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Residents of Waterloo are now asking tough questions about safety in their neighborhoods. “If even a church is not safe, then where are we safe?” asked one elderly congregant outside the premises.

Community leaders are planning to meet with police to discuss possible security measures, including visible patrols and volunteer-led neighborhood watches during services.

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Authorities urge anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the area or who has information about the suspects to contact local police immediately.

This story is published by Missing Person South Africa to raise awareness and encourage collective action against crime. If you live in the Waterloo area, stay alert and support one another in reporting any leads.

What do you think should be done to make our places of worship safer? Share your thoughts in the comments below.