By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court has granted self-proclaimed pastor Paseka ‘Mboro’ Motsoeneng bail of R3,000, with strict conditions.
Motsoeneng and his bodyguard Clement Baloyi returned to the court for a new bail application bid on “new facts”.
The outcome of the latest bail bid was influenced by a significant shift by state prosecutor Peello Vilakazi who on Thursday reversed the State’s position on the schedule of offences. Despite having argued for a Schedule 5 classification earlier in the week, the State conceded that, based on the current evidence, the alleged rifle was a replica, and pending ballistic tests, reduced the matter to an unscheduled bail application.
Vilakazi said, the state would not be opposing the duo’s bail application, provided strict measures were attached to their bail.
This was Motsoeneng’s second attempt at bail.
The defence told the court that Motsoeneng can afford bail of R3 000 and asked that Baloyi be granted free bail.
In her ruling, Magistrate Katlego Mokoena ordered both Motsoeneng and Baloyi, not to contact the witnesses in the case, whether physically, through a text message or via social media. They were also instructed not to be seen entering Matsediso Primary School in Katlehong, where Motsoeneng’s grandchildren attend.
Mokoena initially denied him bail on 19 August. His son was, however, released on warning.
Motsoeneng, Baloyi and his son face 12 charges, including kidnapping, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and assault.
The case follows the circulation of a video taken at Matsediso Primary School in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, on 5 August 2024 which appears to show Mboro and another man wielding pangas, while a masked man carries what appears to be a rifle.
The suspects will make their return to court on 21 October 2024.
Speaking to the media outside the court, Motsoeneng said the people claiming he assaulted them are lucky that he is a prophet.
“If I was not a prophet, I would have slashed them,” he told reporters.
The pair had been in custody for close to 40 days. He added that he has no interest in harming those who destroyed his church or those who are against him.
Motsoeneng wants to make peace with the family who he claimed created this issue.
Motsoeneng, and his security guard were arrested on charges of intimidation after he and the men arrived at a Katlehong school last month to ‘fetch’ his grandchildren.