Story Summary:
- Viral video shows armed men, including Pastor Mboro, forcibly removing pupils from Matshidiso Primary School.
- The incident stemmed from a custody dispute between paternal and maternal families of the children.
- Gauteng Education Department condemns the violence and promises psycho-social support for affected individuals.
Matsediso Primary School in Katlehong became the scene of a dramatic confrontation on Monday, 5 August 2024, and the entire ordeal was caught on camera.
What happened at Matsediso Primary School?
PLEASE NOTE: The third-party content below is shared on our platform for journalistic purposes. Swisher Post, its parent company, partners and affiliates shall not be held liable for any consequence that arises from the journalistic duties performed in sharing this content.
According to a statement issued by the Gauteng Education Department, a group of armed men, including a well-known South African pastor, stormed the school premises.
These men were seen wielding pangas and an assault rifle while forcibly removing two pupils after a heated altercation with a male staff member.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane expressed strong condemnation of the incident, stating:
“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.”
The altercation reportedly arose from a custody dispute over two young boys, one in Grade RR and the other in Grade 2.
The boys’ mother passed away in April 2024, sparking a conflict between their paternal and maternal families.
On the day of the incident, the children’s father visited the school in the morning, followed by their maternal grandmother who informed the principal about a conflict from a recent family meeting.
Teachers, acting on instructions from the grandmother, refused to release the children to their father without her permission.
This led to the arrival of the pastor, identified as the children’s paternal grandfather, accompanied by bodyguards.
Brandishing weapons, they threatened the school staff and managed to take the children.
The principal and the School Governing Body (SGB) reported the matter to the police, and the Child Protection Unit is now involved in mediating the situation, the department revealed.
“We will not tolerate any acts of violence or intimidation and will take all necessary measures to protect our learners and educators,” said MEC Chiloane,” the statement read.
