Pastor Paseka ‘Mboro’ Motsoeneng’s church was set on fire by a mob in Katlehong following his involvement in the Matsediso Primary School abduction incident.
Story Summary:
- Pastor Paseka ‘Mboro’ Motsoeneng’s church set on fire by an angry mob in Katlehong.
- Unrest sparked by Mboro’s involvement in the Matsediso Primary School abduction.
- Pastor Mboro and three others arrested and expected in court.
Pastor Mboro’s church goes up in flames
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The unrest outside the church escalated rapidly, with sources on the ground reporting that the mob was furious over Mboro’s recent actions at Matsediso Primary School.
The fire department and police were dispatched to the scene to contain the blaze and manage the crowd.
Mboro and suspects in court over Matsediso Primary abduction
Following the dramatic incident at Matsediso Primary School, Pastor Mboro and three accomplices were taken into custody. The group was caught on camera violently threatening school staff with pangas and an assault rifle, demanding the release of two children involved in a custody dispute.
Mboro, who handed himself over to Katlehong police on Monday evening, was filmed in a holding cell exchanging heated words with angry residents from behind bars. This footage further inflamed the community’s outrage.
The suspects’ are expected to make their first court appearance on Tuesday.
Although the exact nature of the charges remains unclear, early indications suggest Mboro and the suspects may be charged with abduction.
The confrontation at Matsediso Primary School unfolded on Monday, 5 August 2024, when armed men, including Pastor Mboro, stormed the premises.
The group forcibly removed two pupils after a heated altercation with school staff.
The dispute originated from a custody conflict following the death of the children’s mother in April 2024.
The children’s father, accompanied by Pastor Mboro and bodyguards, attempted to take the children from the school, leading to the violent incident.
The Gauteng Education Department strongly condemned the attack.
MEC Matome Chiloane emphasised the priority of learner and educator safety, stating:
“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.”
Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube also expressed outrage, calling for an urgent investigation and ensuring the safety of the children and school staff.
“I am absolutely incensed by this attack on our schools, staff, and learners. No one should break into schools with weapons, interrupting teaching and learning time and terrorizing children,” she said.
The principal and the School Governing Body (SGB) reported the incident to the police, who are now involved in mediating the situation through the Child Protection Unit.
