The Vlaklaagte No: 1 community in Mpumalanga is grappling with the aftermath of a devastating fire that completely gutted the Mighty Eagles Dominion Church International.
The incident occurred during New Year’s celebrations and has left the community shocked and the church’s senior pastor, David Mahlangu, issuing a plea for calm and an end to speculation.
The church, a prominent place of worship for the Vlaklaagte No: 1 and Mabhoko communities for the past 14 years, was tragically destroyed by fire. Pastor Mahlangu confirmed the cause of the blaze, stating that it was accidental, resulting from fireworks carelessly handled by individuals celebrating the new year.
He explained: “As many of you may have already heard or witnessed, I would like to confirm that regrettably the church did indeed suffer a fire. I am sure that many of you are wondering what exactly transpired. After investigation, it has been established that the cause of the fire was an accidental spark from fireworks carelessly handled by some individuals celebrating the new year. It is crucial to note that this incident was not an intentional act, but rather a careless mistake that could have happened to anyone.”
The fire, believed to have originated from a spark landing on the church’s thatch roof near Moloto Road, between KwaMhlanga and Kwaggafontein, caused extensive damage. Pastor Mahlangu estimated the cost of the damage to be over R300,000, a significant blow to the congregation.
He further indicated that rebuilding the church could take up to six months, a lengthy process that will require considerable effort and resources. He expressed his concern about the impact of the incident on the community, stating that it was an “unfortunate incident”.
In the wake of the tragedy, Pastor Mahlangu has appealed to the community to refrain from engaging in negative speculation or gossip surrounding the fire.
He urged unity and faith, stating: “Let us come together in faith and trust in God’s divine plan. As we navigate this challenging situation, let us not forget that God will never permit circumstances in our lives that we cannot handle.
"This incident presents us with an opportunity to grow stronger in our faith and to continue to keep our eyes fixed on God. Let us remember that the church building may have been damaged, but the vision and spirit of Mighty Eagle Dominion Church International remain unshaken.”
