By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Self-proclaimed Paseka “Mboro” Motsoeneng appeared in the Palm Ridge magistrate’s court to bring an urgent bail application on new facts.
As Motsoeneng entered the dock, he gestured towards the ceiling, while his supporters in the courtroom waved and cheered quietly.
Magistrate Katlego Mokoena denied Motsoeneng and his bodyguard Clement Baloyi bail on 19 August, while his son was released on warning.
During court proceedings, his legal representative, Adv Phillip Dlamini, told the court that his client was being denied his constitutional right, accusing the state of delay tactics.
“I would like to place on record about the delay. It’s intentional and purposeful to delay the applicant his constitutional rights, the applicant [Motsoeneng] is being tortured mentally, being detained is not easy, it is mental torture from the state. Section 35 of the constitution is a right that must be adhered to,” Dlamini said.
However, Mboro will spend another week behind bars as the state said they had not been briefed on new material facts and was not ready to proceed with the hearing.
The case was postponed to Monday.
Motsoeneng told the reporters, “I’m just trusting God and God is good. The truth will always prevail. I’m being punished because I’m popular, I’m not treated fairly. It’s just because I’m Mboro… only because I’m famous.”
Motsoeneng, Baloyi and his son face 12 charges, including kidnapping, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and assault.
These charges stem from an incident at Matsediso Primary School in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, where the accused kidnapped two minors on 5 August.
A video of the event went viral on social media, showing the three men armed with pangas and an assault rifle as they forcefully took the children.
The incident intensified a custody dispute between the Motsoeneng’s son and the children’s maternal family following the death of their mother.