Johannesburg  - An armed gang walked into a church north of Johannesburg during a service and shot a man in the face, South African police said Thursday.

The South African Press Association quoted the police as saying that nine armed attackers - eight men and a woman - entered an evangelical church in the Randburg district during Wednesday evening service and robbed the worshippers of mobile phones and cash.

They then took the caretaker to his room and shot him in the face after stealing his DVD and mobile phone, police said.

The man was listed in critical condition in the hospital.

Another worshipper was slightly injured after being pistol- whipped.

South Africa has notoriously high rates of violent crime. Over 50 people are murdered each day in the country, often during robberies. Another 50 a day are the victims of attempts on their lives.

The attack on the church comes amid a furore over the increased brazenness displayed by criminals, following the recent killings of two Catholic priests.

One was killed in North-West province after stopping for a hitchhiker. The other was found dead in a field south of Johannesburg after being robbed of his car and other possessions. (dpa)