News

Bishop blackmailed by 'hitmen'

April 09, 2009 Edition 1

Two men were arrested last night for threatening the life of Methodist bishop Paul Verryn in Johannesburg.

"Two suspects were arrested for intimidation and blackmailing at the Central Methodist Church," said Captain John Maluleke.

Verryn received the first death threat from the men, both South Africans aged 26 and 31, on Monday. Verryn then filed a complaint with police.

Verryn said the men claimed to have been hired by the business owners around the church and that they were professional killers active in taxi violence.

"The man said he was being hired by the shop owners in the mall and they've been given a car and a gun," said Verryn.

This was followed on Tuesday by a call from the two men claiming that the business owners had given them the first payment of R30 000.

It was because of this call that Verryn said he suspected the men were attempting to extort money from him.

"I think it is a blackmail attempt because they had said, 'what are you prepared to do to save your own life'," said Verryn

Maluleke and Verryn said the men called again last night about 7.10pm. Maluleke said the two men indicated that they would not carry out the contract killing if they were paid money by Verryn.

Maluleke said Verryn then told the men to come to his office in the church in downtown Johannesburg.

"Verryn said they should come, that he could not make a deal over the phone," said Maluleke.

By the time the two men arrived, police - who had been called by Verryn - were already waiting for them.

"Police were posing as church security guards and welcomed them, they even led them to Verryn. For them to be there was also to determine the threat," said Maluleke.

The men were taken to Verryn only after being searched by the police posing as church security guards. The two were found to have no firearms in their possession.

After leading the men to Verryn's office they waited outside where Maluleke says "they heard everything".

"They were telling him they were hired killers," said Maluleke.

"The police have been incredible. They were here immediately," said Verryn.

Before they were arrested, one of the men told Verryn he was now safe.

"One said 'you don't have to worry about your life. I won't take it'," said Verryn.

Verryn has attracted both acclaim and criticism for using his church to provide accommodation to thousands of Zimbabwean migrants. People in government have accused him of creating a service crisis in downtown Johannesburg.

Local businesses have complained and even filed lawsuits against him. They say the presence of such large numbers of people has resulted in business losses.

Though there is no love lost between Verryn and the business owners around the church, he does not believe it is true that they have taken out a contract on his life.

"I think it would be too stupid for words," said Verryn.

In addition to blackmail, the bishop believes the threats could also be "seen as a thing where people want to get all opposition to xenophobia out of the way".

Maluleke said the two arrested men will appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. - Sapa

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