Paseka “Mboro” Motsoeneng and one of his co-accused have been granted bail by the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court after spending nearly two weeks behind bars.
Mboro and his bodyguard Vincent Baloyi were denied bail on Monday afternoon while his son Revival Motsoeneng was released on a warning by the court.
All three were arrested on 6 August after brandishing dangerous weapons – including a panga – at Matsediso Primary School in Katlehong on 5 August.
Case for and against bail
Opposing bail, prosecutor Phehello Vilakazi told the court that Mboro and his co-accused’s release would endanger the safety of witness.
“It will not be in the interest of justice for any of the accused persons to be granted bail unless they can show evidence that their release will not undermine the interest of justice,” Vilakazi told the court.
During proceedings on Monday, an animated Mboro was seen praying and in some instances, nodding in disagreement as the prosecutor made submissions in opposing to bail being granted.
In support of bail for his clients, defence lawyer Phillip Dlamini told the court that Mboro’s congregation needed him to be released.
Dlamini also said keeping Mboro’s son Revival – accused number three – in jail “without basis goes against public interest and rule of law”.
BAIL HEARING OF PASTOR MBORO POSTPONED
Mboro was widely criticised after videos of the incident were widely circulated on social media. His church Incredible Happenings Ministry in Katlehong was also burnt down by community members, with visuals of church’s tent being engulfed by smoke and fire being shown on various news channels.
The conflict between Mboro and his grandchildren’s family is over the custody of the boy learners who are enrolled at Matsediso Primary School, in Grade R and Grade 2.
The dispute reportedly started after the mother of the children reportedly passed away in April this year.
Charges against the ‘prophet’
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in Gauteng, Phindi Mjonondwane, said Mboro and his co-accused face a string of charges, including kidnapping, possession of dangerous weapons and unlicensed firearms, possession of a prohibited firearm, assault by way of threat, pointing of firearms, discharging of a gun and malicious property damage.
The matter was initially postponed for the state to prepare for the bail hearing and finalise investigations related to that hearing, including, amongst other things, the profiling of the accused and other information relevant to bail.
On Friday, there were delays in the court proceedings after it was established that the police had not verified Mboro and his co-accused’s home addresses for bail application purposes, Zimoja reported.
Additional reporting by Nokwanda Ncwane
Was the court right to give Mboro bail?
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