Sister missionaries are robbed, raped

Police in South Africa have arrested four men in connection with the rape of two female missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One of the missionaries was also shot, an LDS Church official said late Monday.

The attacks happened Friday night in the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast of the country. A church spokesman said the two women were serving in the South Africa Durban Mission and were in the city of Port Shepstone when they were attacked.

Police said the women were first robbed of their handbags before a 23-year-old missionary from Kenya was shot in the stomach. Police said the two women were then raped.

The Deseret Morning News does not usually publish the names of sexual assault victims.

The woman who was shot "remains hospitalized but is expected to make a full recovery," LDS Church spokesman Dale Bills said. The other missionary, a 21-year-old woman from California, was treated and released.

The South African Press Association reported that police arrested two men after an attempted robbery a short time after the attack. A third man was arrested on Sunday. The fourth surrendered to police Monday morning.

"Our prayers are with these two young sisters and their families," Bills said. "Our missionaries share a message of peace. We pray that these two faithful young women and all who know and love them will be blessed with peace and comfort at this time."