The tragic incident occurred at the Saint Mark and Saint Samuel the Confessor monastery situated in Cullinan, a small town located 30 km (18 miles) east of Pretoria, the capital city.
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According to provincial police spokesperson Col Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, all three monks were found with stab wounds. A survivor, who managed to escape, reported being assaulted with an iron rod before fleeing and hiding.
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While investigations are ongoing, Col Nevhuhulwi stated that the motive for the killings is yet to be determined. She added that the perpetrators reportedly left the scene without taking any valuables.
South Africa is known for its high levels of violent crime, with one of the world’s highest murder rates.
Monks in the Coptic Orthodox Church, one of the oldest churches globally, dedicate their lives to prayer and spiritual growth.