Controversial pastor Paseka “Mboro” Motsoeneng and four suspects are expected to appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday for alleged acts of violence and intimidation that played out at Matsediso Primary School in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni.
The five are facing a variety of charges, including assault, handling a firearm recklessly that could endanger lives and property, rendering security services while not registered, malicious damage to property, assault, and intimidation.
The incident was allegedly linked to a family dispute involving the custody of Mboro’s grandchildren. It is said that the mother of the children died in April this year, leading to a dispute between the paternal and maternal sides of the family.
Mboro entered the school premises on Monday accompanied by two men wielding a panga and a rifle.
Teaching staff attempted to keep the learners from the men. However, they managed to drag them out while they cried hysterically.
Gauteng provincial secretary of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu), Tseliso Ledimo, said such incidents sent the wrong message that differences are resolved through violent means when all people are working to stem the tide of violence in society.
“Schools are not appropriate platforms to address family disagreements. We call on the relevant law enforcement institutions to act in the interest of the innocent children who are trapped in this terrible situation. Further, we call on the Gauteng Department of Education to provide the necessary support services to the affected teachers and learners. We also call on communities to participate in our ‘I am a school fan’ campaign and be protectors of their campaign,” said Ledimo.
Gauteng police revealed that more officers had been deployed in Katlehong after a group of schoolchildren burnt down Mboro’s Incredible Happenings Ministries church on Tuesday morning.
Ekurhuleni district commissioner Major-General Anna Sithole confirmed that police were investigating an arson case after the church was set alight.
“Crime has been committed, an arson docket has been registered and investigation is unfolding. Those that would be found to be in the wrong will be arrested,” said Sithole.
Gauteng police commissioner Tommy Mthombeni said when it comes to safety of the schools, they have the“Adopt a cop” programme in which the Gauteng Department of Education is participating in a provincial joint intelligence structure.
Mthombeni said upon seeing the video of the incident, police responded promptly and arrested four suspects on August 6.
Community members were angry after learning that Mboro was not one of the four suspects. However, police confirmed that he was in custody.
“We have added the fifth suspect. With regards to the fifth one, we had to link up with NPA in ensuring that we put the statements which were outstanding. We secured a warrant of arrest which is called J50 and this individual was arrested,” said Mthombeni.
He said the rifle that the suspect brandished was found not to have been registered with PSIRA.
Education activist Hendrick Makaneta said it was unfortunate that the family feud had now spilled into the school.
Makaneta called on the GDE to urgently provide psychosocial support to teachers.
GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona did concede that teachers were not yet receiving counselling. He said those personnel were still busy at other schools.
“The process of counselling is going ahead as we speak. Employee wellness could not come today because they are attending other schools, but on Wednesday we are expecting them to be taken through the process of support,” he said.
When it comes to the two children, Mabona said officials were trying to resolve the matter so that they can return to school.
“We are going to be finalising the process with the Social Development Department because they need to mediate and lead the process because the children must come back to school. They need to finalise the process of where the children stay,” Mabona said.
Sithole said the children were safe.
An Ekurhuleni businessman told The Star that he once had a case opened against the pastor. He said he (pastor) ran to a police station to open a case against him.
“I managed to prove that the pastor was the instigator and he was arrested. I was not surprised when I heard reports that after the incident he ran to open a case and people who were cautioning got arrested. I can tell you that a court official told me that there are over 70 assault cases pending against the pastor,” said the businessman.
The South African National Christian Forum (SANCF) distanced itself from what they called unfortunate criminal behaviour of Mboro.
“We will never defend nor promote such behaviour by a religious leader. It is for this reason that we promote churches to have an independent regulatory body to discipline such behaviour and arrogance in the sector,” said the president of the SANCF, Bishop Mashashane.
“In the same way, we condemn the action of burning Mboro’s church as nobody is to take a law into their own hands. It is unfortunate to see church leaders responding to whatever dispute violently, especially in front of the little kids. This should be dealt with harshly. We would like to apologise to the entire country for this shameful behaviour.”
The Social Development Department has not yet commented on this issue.
The Star