There was a new twist in the Kumakwane Roman Catholic Church theft case when the stolen property was found in the house of a dead suspect released by the police because of lack of evidence.

The police arrested the 50-year-old when the case was reported but he was released when a search failed to link him to the crime.

"We went to search a house where we were told he was staying and found nothing," Superintendent Morris Kwena said. During the break-in four portraits of Jesus, table clothes, and a number of candle stands were stolen. Kwena said that over a week ago, they received a report that the suspect had passed on and the relatives disclosed that the stolen property was found in his other house.

"We went there and recovered the candle stands, table cloth, and two portraits," Kwena said. The goods were identified by church members. They were returned to the church. Kwena revealed that the man died after a short illness and will be buried over the weekend. He stated that the man entered the church building, which was not locked and broke into the storeroom to steal the items. "The members explained that they leave the church unlocked to allow access to members to pray anytime they want," Kwena said.