Seven armed men broke into the Musallah Fatah Mosque in Lenasia Johannesburg, tied up the lone security guard and locked him in the guard room, before stealing valuable items, including a television set and laptop.
Gauteng police have launched a hunt for the suspects who vandalised the mosque and wrote Islamophobic messages on the walls before fleeing.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo said the suspects fled in a stolen minibus.
Masondo added the police recovered the white VW minibus in Anchorville, Lenasia, but the suspects remained at large.
The incident occurred at 01:00 am on Friday at the Nirvana Drive mosque in Lenasia’s Extension 1.
Masondo said: “The police are investigating a case of business robbery and are appealing to anyone who might have information that can help in the investigation or assist in apprehending the suspects to please call the nearest police station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.”
Lenasia, often called Lenz, is a suburb south of Soweto in Gauteng Province, South Africa, originally created to house Indians.
In 2019, Lenasia CPF’s chairperson Ebrahim Asvat said it has successfully combatted crimes such as robberies and hijackings in these areas, where the 540 member-strong team maintains vigilance at all times.