Historical church demolished for new shopping centre

The historical Nederduits Hervormde Kerk in Rustenburg, situated in Church Street and dating back to 1853, is to be demolished to make place for a new shopping centre. Ds. Johan van Wyk said that the costs of maintaining the church have become unaffordable and crime in the area kept members away. The land was sold for R7,5 million. Some of the church's belongings were sold to other churches. According to the new owners, research showed that there was no historical reason to keep the building.