Members of the historical St Clement's Anglican Church fear that the same thieves who ransacked the old train station are now targeting their church.
Members of the historical St Clement's Anglican Church fear that the same thieves who ransacked the old train station are now targeting their church.
Items from guitars and an amplifier to toilets have been stolen, and church leaders are considering moving to escape more break-ins. The church is situated at the bottom end of High Street near the old abandoned train station.
"We've had three break-ins in two months," said church warden Margaret Speckman. "The third one was on Women's Day. We lost our crockery, our second-hand donated computer, the stove plates."
On Thursday 22 August she said thieves stole a stove, brass communion cups and collection plates, a credence table tray, a sacred staff and other items.
According to Speckman, the area has become deserted and unsafe, especially on Saturdays. It is believed that thieves take the stolen goods to sell at a scrap metal business and Speckman says the continued vandalism of the train station affects the church badly too.
"I believe that after they finished vandalising the train station, they then aimed at us," she said. Thieves have opened a hole in the back fence as their entrance and exit point to the premises. "We are now planning to secure the place by putting up an electric fence and then doing repairs because we've lost a lot," said Reverend Monde Makandula.
He said they will explore the option to relocate the church to premises in Albany Road, but the process will take a long time.
"We are deeply hurt, it is a historical church. We are sentimental about this church but we are planning to meet with the parishioners, [and]ask for their input and see what we can do," said parish council member Elaine McKenzie.
"Those [thieves]are not Christians, no Christians can do such an ungodly act," said another council member, Robbie Kohl.
