• The court has been told of the grisly scene left in the wake of a deadly church attack.
  
• The 42 people linked to the attack were armed to the teeth.
• The investigating officer testified during the bail application of the 42.

Four badly burnt bodies, a security guard shot to death, shotguns, rifles and pistols, bolt cutters, cars smouldering, and police uniforms and insignia were the remnants of the deadly scene in the aftermath of the attack on the International Pentecost Holiness Church (IPHC).

The Westonaria Magistrate's Court heard how 42 people, linked to the IPHC, were armed to the teeth.

On 11 July, the church's headquarters in Zuurbekom, on the West Rand, came under heavy fire, allegedly by individuals who were armed with shotguns, rifles and pistols.

The incident left five people dead.

Four of the deceased were set alight, with one body burnt beyond recognition.

Two of the deceased have been identified, including the security guard.

Another security guard was shot dead and his body was found inside a vehicle, with his legs protruding outside the car.

The investigating officer, Sergeant George Matsitse, testified during the bail application of the 42 people.

Matsitse implicated all 42 and claimed that they were behind the deadly attack.

"Between 02:00 and 03:00, a group of armed suspects attacked the church, aiming to take over the leadership of church. They opened fire and also took cellphones of people who were inside the church.

"They rammed the main gate, leading into the church's headquarters, using a Nissan NP300 bakkie as a diversion, while others entered the church from the back, which resulted in a shootout between the assailants and church security guards. Five people died and some were injured," said Matsitse.

He said police, who responded to the scene, chased after a white BMW sedan and recovered 10 shotguns and six pistols.

Matsitse disputed some of the accused's testimony that they were at the church as security guards when they were arrested.

He said 19 people were arrested as they were leaving the churchyard. They were carrying six assault rifles and six pistols.

Matsitse said police also stopped a Toyota Quantum.

"Inside the Quantum, there was a 9mm pistol with its serial numbers filed off. Inside the Nissan NP300, there were eight firecrackers that made a large noise. Two bodies were burnt beyond recognition and one of the accused sustained burn wounds.

"Two cars burnt beyond recognition. Two of the recovered pistols don't exist in the SA firearms database. Three pistols belonged to a security company that the accused claimed to be working for," said Matsitse.

Matsitse said the accused, especially those who claimed to be working for a private security company, didn't have permits to carry weapons.

"Some of the suspects were carrying seven rifles, six pistols and an airgun. One of the seven rifles was reported stolen in Benoni and belongs to Standard Bank. Three of six pistols don't exist in the SA firearms database.

"Some of the recovered weapons belonged to different people and were not reported stolen. Police seized a number a vehicles from the scene and only one was reported hijacked by the owner, who could be linked to the offence," said Matsitse.

Advocate Barry Roux, who represents 23 of the accused, together with lawyers of the other accused, are expected to cross-examine Matsitse when the hearing continues on Thursday.