“Panga Pastor” Paseka “Mboro” Motsoeneng is a free man, well until his next court appearance next month.
Mboro was released on R3 000 bail while his co-accused, Vincent Baloyi (bodyguard) was released on warning. The pair appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Speaking to the media, Mboro said: “Being a father, being a man in South Africa is a very painful thing. It feels emotional, I am glad that my two sons are here with me. I never wanted my children to be known because I was avoiding a lot. In their lives, they never had a good time with their father, he’s been there saving lives and doing a lot.”
Mboro revealed that the custody and feuds over the grandchildren had been ongoing.
”We were threatened in my house. People came with police without a court order or a warrant. It has been three years since this thing happened. We report to the police, nothing… I have been provoked. It’s known I have armed security forces but never used them, because we are family.
“This son of mine when I helped him pay lobola he was 20 years old. All his children; when they were born were with me and the wife. It’s so sad that my daughter-in-law within a month of her death, there had been fights over her children. My daughter in-law had a protection order, she opened a case against her mother.
“The family has been trying to put me behind bars. I’m the one who demanded money for support for the children,” said Mboro.
Shortly after getting bail, Mboro addressed the media and his supporters.
Asked how he was feeling, Mboro said: “I am happy that I am out to build this country, our family, and South Africa. I am glad my son is out and that the court gave him the right to have his children.”
He said he did not want revenge from his alleged attackers, but wants to see peace and reconciliation between families for the sake of the children.
The incident happened on August 5. Mboro’s church was burned to the ground the following day.
“That church is nothing, we are the church. If we can consider the children and make peace for the children,” said Mboro.
He said he would talk about the conditions in jail at another time, he told journalists. His legal team warned him to end the interview.
Judging from his speech, prison is a different place.
“Whatever you do, don’t get caught. Prison is not a joke, there are no clever people in there,” said Mboro.
His son, Revival Motsoeneng, stood next to him after he was released.
“God is good. It’s so unfortunate that a man who has touched so many lives, healed so many souls, ends up being in prison for almost 40 days… due to a situation that was not supposed to happen.”
Defence lawyer, advocate Phillip Dlamini, told the court that Mboro could afford R3 000 bail and asked for Baloyi to be granted free bail.
“He (Mboro) is just a worker,” Dlamini said.
The State made a U-turn and conceded that based on the evidence now before court, Mboro’s bail application was not a schedule 5 matter. Based on new facts, the State did not oppose bail.
Magistrate Katlego Mokoena said Mboro and Baloyi were expected back in court on October 21.
Leaving the dock, Mboro raised both his hands and said “bohbihbihboh, Jehova”, prompting his followers who filled the public gallery to join him in jubilation.
Outside court, Incredible Happenings Church members wearing T-shirts bearing Mboro’s face and carrying placards were seen dancing, chanting in celebration in what they perceived as victory for the self-proclaimed prophet.
The Star
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