The Coptic Orthodox Church has announced that Hegmen Takra El Samueli, Friars Yostos Ava Markos and Friars Mina Ava Marcos were killed in Johannesburg. (Coptic Orthodox Church/Facebook)
- The Coptic Orthodox Church announced on Tuesday that three monks had been killed in Johannesburg.
- An investigation has been launched into their deaths.
- One of the three monks was an assistant priest in the Diocese of South Africa.
Three Egyptian Coptic monks were murdered inside a monastery in Gauteng province, the Coptic Orthodox Church said.
“Three monks were subjected to criminal assault inside a Coptic monastery,” a church spokesperson said in a statement posted on Facebook on Tuesday.
One of the three monks was an assistant priest in the Diocese of South Africa, the statement said.
In the Facebook post, the victims were named as Friars Hegmen Takra El Samuelly, Friars Yostos Ava Marcos, and Friars Mina Ava Marcos.
“Relevant authorities arrived at the monastery and began investigating the incident. The Egyptian ambassador in Johannesburg also visited the monastery to follow up on the situation,” the church said.
Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nebhluwi said police were investigating a murder after “three priests” were killed at a church in Cullinan.
All three had been stabbed.
The fourth survivor had been beaten with an iron rod.
He fled during the assault and hid in another room.
“The suspects reportedly left the scene without taking any valuables or assets from the scene. The motive for the murder is unclear at this stage,” Nebhluwi added.
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A statement from the church indicated that an internal investigation has been launched and the Egyptian ambassador to South Africa has been informed.
“The Church expresses its deep sadness at the occurrence of such a tragic incident and extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the three monks, expressing their deepest condolences to the families of the three monks and praying that only a merciful and just God can comfort them. I am confident that He will reveal the truth.''
Police are appealing for anyone with information that could help the investigation to contact Cullinan Police Station on 012 734 0751 or Crimestoppers on 08600 10111.
– Additional reporting by Reuters
