Police are still searching for bullet marks and casings after popular church leader and Mthatha businessman Primate Alex Sarpong, 59, claimed he was attacked by two gunmen on Monday night.
Sarpong said that, amid a brawl for one of the guns, at least 20 rounds were fired. He survived unscathed, but for a knee hurt during hand-to-hand combat.
OR Tambo mayor Nomakhosazana Meth, who was also on the scene, proclaimed: “Indeed God is great and works miraculously!”
Sarpong claims God helped him survive the attempted assassination when two gunmen fired multiple shots at him – and all missed.
Sarpong, South Africa’s leader of The Church of the Lord (Aladura), operates a number of accommodation establishments in Mthatha.
However, by late yesterday police had found no cartridges or bullet marks on walls. Sarpong’s Mercedes-Benz X350 was undamaged.
Sarpong said he was attacked at about 7pm as he entered his home off Chief Nkwenkwezi Drive in Southridge Park.
A gunman appeared and fired a volley of about 10 bullets towards his direction “but all missed”, said Sarpong. “I dived at him and we struggled over the firearm. We fell down and wrestled for the gun.”
Suddenly, another gunman man appeared and also fired at Sarpong.
“He fired about 10 times more, but he too missed. I don’t know whether they ran short of bullets but both men ran up the street,” said Sarpong.
Three residents of the affluent, quiet suburb confirmed hearing shots. “I heard a number of shots. I noticed two men running up the street. I thought they were chasing the shooter,” said Sarpong’s neighbour, local attorney Sabelo Ndabeni.
Sarpong said the gunmen escaped with his briefcase containing his identity book, driver’s licence and R10000. “I suspect they were hired hitmen,” he said.
Sarpong said his only injury was his right knee in a fall during the struggle for the gun. He phoned the police and mayor Meth.
Arriving at the scene, the mayor was amazed but happy that her friend was uninjured.
“It’s a clarion call to us that people need to be very alert when entering their homes.
“But Alex’s survival is a miracle. I have never heard of a person being shot at so many times at close range and not even being injured.”
The primate said: “I came eye-to-eye with death, but triumphed.
“I said ‘God, I must not die without a fight’. God suddenly gave me bravery and strength and I acted as quick as lightning.
“In 1998, two of my security guards were shot dead . Four killers are serving life sentences.”
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela called the public to assist police with information and called for strong neighbourhood watch groups.
Pastor's brush with death
Sarpong said that, amid a brawl for one of the guns, at least 20 rounds were fired. He survived unscathed, but for a knee hurt during hand-to-hand combat.
OR Tambo mayor Nomakhosazana Meth, who was also on the scene, proclaimed: “Indeed God is great and works miraculously!”
Sarpong claims God helped him survive the attempted assassination when two gunmen fired multiple shots at him – and all missed.
Sarpong, South Africa’s leader of The Church of the Lord (Aladura), operates a number of accommodation establishments in Mthatha.
However, by late yesterday police had found no cartridges or bullet marks on walls. Sarpong’s Mercedes-Benz X350 was undamaged.
Sarpong said he was attacked at about 7pm as he entered his home off Chief Nkwenkwezi Drive in Southridge Park.
A gunman appeared and fired a volley of about 10 bullets towards his direction “but all missed”, said Sarpong. “I dived at him and we struggled over the firearm. We fell down and wrestled for the gun.”
Suddenly, another gunman man appeared and also fired at Sarpong.
“He fired about 10 times more, but he too missed. I don’t know whether they ran short of bullets but both men ran up the street,” said Sarpong.
Three residents of the affluent, quiet suburb confirmed hearing shots. “I heard a number of shots. I noticed two men running up the street. I thought they were chasing the shooter,” said Sarpong’s neighbour, local attorney Sabelo Ndabeni.
Sarpong said the gunmen escaped with his briefcase containing his identity book, driver’s licence and R10000. “I suspect they were hired hitmen,” he said.
Sarpong said his only injury was his right knee in a fall during the struggle for the gun. He phoned the police and mayor Meth.
Arriving at the scene, the mayor was amazed but happy that her friend was uninjured.
“It’s a clarion call to us that people need to be very alert when entering their homes.
“But Alex’s survival is a miracle. I have never heard of a person being shot at so many times at close range and not even being injured.”
The primate said: “I came eye-to-eye with death, but triumphed.
“I said ‘God, I must not die without a fight’. God suddenly gave me bravery and strength and I acted as quick as lightning.
“In 1998, two of my security guards were shot dead . Four killers are serving life sentences.”
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela called the public to assist police with information and called for strong neighbourhood watch groups.
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