By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court in Ekurhuleni has postponed the case against controversial Pastor Paseka ‘Mboro’ Motsoeneng and two others to 16 August.
Mboro, his 27-year-old son Revival and their body guard Clement Baloyi made a brief appearance in court on Wednesday.
They were arrested on Monday evening for the violence shown when his two grandchildren were forcibly removed from a school in Katlehong.
He is involved in a dispute over maintenance and custody of the children with grandmother after the death of their mother.
Both the grandmother and the children’s uncle were also arrested, taking the total number of suspects to five.
In a video that went viral Mboro, accompanied by other men and a bodyguard armed with what is believed to be a replica rifle, is seen intimidating and harassing teachers.
Mboro was also seen charging with a panga at staff members who had tried to stop him and those who were filming him.
During court proceedings, Mboro opposed media coverage in the case against him, saying this was a private family matter and the media would only make things worse.
But the magistrate granted media permission to cover the matter after the State pointed out its public interest.
The trio are facing a litany of charges for storming the Matshidiso Primary School and forcibly taking two children.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the trio face charges including “kidnapping, possession of unlicensed firearms and possession of prohibited firearms, discharging a firearm, assault by way threat, common assault…”
“We cannot rule out the possibility of additional charges.
“Investigations are ongoing and we will be guided by the trajectory of the investigations on whether or not we should add or remove some of the charges, Mjonondwane added.
She explained that the grandmother and uncle are also facing charges of assault.
Mboro has filed an assault case against the grandmother, while his son has opened similar cases against both the grandmother and the uncle.
The one opened by Mboro’s son, we have taken a decision as the NPA that it will not be enrolled, pending further investigations.
“There’s some outstanding information we have requested SAPS [South African Police Service] to gather for us and then bring back the docket for a decision.”
Additionally, the commander of the SAPS Katlehong Police Station has filed an assault case against the uncle.
“The docket by the station commander is a very serious charge… one of attacking a police officer so that docket will also be enrolled in court and then we will hear from the court whether the accused is ready to proceed with a bail application in that regard.”
The uncle and grandmother were granted bail of R1 000 each. They will return to court on 10 September, while the trio is expected to return to court for bail hearing next Friday.
Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has warned residents not to engage in acts of violence following the looting and burning of Mboro’s church.
Xhakaza says they are working on restoring peace in the area and avoiding further escalation of the violence.
“We unequivocally condemn all forms of violence, whether perpetrated by the pastor or his assailants,” said the mayor.
“Vigilantism is illegal and cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. We urge the community to allow the authorities to investigate and resolve this matter through proper legal channels.”