By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Gauteng Education, Sport, Arts, Culture & Recreation MEC Matome Chiloane vehemently condemned the reprehensible incident where three men violently threatened the livelihoods of teachers and learners at Matshidiso Primary School in Katlehong.
According to a preliminary report, a conflict between two families over the custody of the boy learners enrolled at the school, in Grade RR and Grade 2, has been escalating. It is said that the mother of the children passed away in April this year, leading to a dispute between the paternal and maternal sides of the family.
The department said the father of the children had a meeting with the principal in the morning. Later in the day, the maternal grandmother, who is the guardian of the children, also met with the principal as well to report and inform him about a conflict that occurred during a meeting held over the past weekend at the house of the paternal grandfather, who is the famous South African pastor.
Following this, the Deputy Principal and some staff members refused to release the children without the grandmother’s permission. This led to the pastor arriving at the school with bodyguards and weapons.
The fake man of God, Paseka “Mboro” Motsoeneng also a resident of Katlehong, was wielding two pangas, telling teaching staff not to get near him, he was also heard uttering a few swear words.
“Come near me you will see,” shouted Mboro.
Mboro juggled between holding the two pangas and a cell phone, attempting to make a call while teaching staff recorded him via their cell phones.
The department said the incident unfolded on Monday afternoon after school when the father of the children came to fetch them, accompanied by two men, one of them being the pastor – who was armed with two pangas while the other carried an assault rifle. Teachers, acting on the alleged instructions from the grandmother, tried to prevent the father from leaving the school premises with the children. In response, the pastor brandished a panga threateningly at the teachers, allowing the father to leave with the children.
The principal and school Governing Body (SGB), reported the matter to the police. The Child Protection Unit is set to mediate the situation.
The department said Psycho-Social Support will be deployed for the affected teachers and learners to help them cope with the trauma resulting from this incident.
“The safety and well-being of our learners and educators are of utmost priority. Such acts of violence and intimidation not only undermine the foundation of our education system but also have the potential to traumatise the entire school community, particularly given that this incident occurred in a primary school in full view of young children and their teachers. The Department is committed to ensuring that justice is served in this matter. We will not tolerate any acts of violence or intimidation and will take all necessary measures to protect our learners and educators,” said Chiloane.
The Gauteng police said, they’re investigating the incident involving Mboro at the Primary School in Katlehong.
The police have stated that they are currently taking statements from all parties involved and that an arrest is imminent. They plan to release a detailed statement once they have completed their initial process.