A search is on for a gang of armed robbers that held up worshippers at a mosque in Kabokweni in Mpumalanga. The incident occurred during the Jumuah or Friday prayers.

It’s alleged 15 heavily armed suspects in Toyota Quantum stormed the place of worship and stole the personal belongings of the some 20 worshippers. They fled with among others cell phones and a Toyota Corolla.

Mpumalanga police commissioner Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has condemned the robbery.

He has urged residents to be on the lookout for people trying to sell stolen goods, noting that it’s the only way to shut down the market for these criminals.

It is the second known mosque to be targeted this week. The Imam of the Zeenatul Islam Masjid in Johannesburg was accosted and worshippers robbed around the time of the Fajr prayers. Mosques in the area are now looking into beefing up their security.