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Bail hearing of ‘Pastor Mboro’ trio postponed in kidnapping and property damage case

Bail hearing of ‘Pastor Mboro’ trio postponed in kidnapping and property damage case
Paseka ‘Pastor Mboro’ Mostoeneng. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)
Michelle Banda
By Michelle Banda
16 Aug 2024
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After delays with the address verification, bail applications of Paseka ‘Pastor Mboro’ Motsoeneng, his bodyguard Clement Camllot Baloyi, and a relative who can’t be named, were heard at Palm Ridge Magistrate court. The trio remain in custody, with the matter rescheduled for further hearing on 19 August, at the Palm Ridge Magistrate Court.

The trio in court today are accused of kidnapping, possession of an unlicensed firearm, discharging a firearm, assault, and malicious damage to property.

Despite having spent a week in custody, the addresses and some of their essential details had not been verified, causing major delays in the bail application hearing on Friday, 16 August 2024.

Initially, the court heard that the address of Mboro had not been verified by the police, and later his bodyguard Baloyi could also not be profiled by police, as he had not provided his identity number to the authorities. 

The defence challenged these delays, suggesting that the police were confused about the address verification process, and accused the State of using these issues as a tactic to delay the bail hearing further.

Read more: Pastor Mboro to remain in custody pending bail application

In his affidavit before the court, Mboro argued that he could not stay in jail as there were people spiritually and financially dependent on him, including his elderly mother and minor grandchildren. His affidavit also stated that he would plead not guilty to the charges before the court, and stated his willingness to pay a bail amounting to at least R3,000. 

The other co-accused, his bodyguard and his relative, who both claim to be employed by Mboro’s church Incredible Happenings Ministry, said they could afford bail of R500 each. 

In opposition to the bail application, the State has argued by recounting the ordeal of what led to Mboro and co-accused’s arrest, including the fact that he has been arrested at least nine times, with some cases withdrawn and others still being investigated. 

The State has also argued that the police are looking for two more suspects linked to the incident, who remain at large. And therefore the release of Mboro and the co-accused could jeopardise tracing of the two suspects.

Whereabouts of minors unknown


In other news, the court also heard that the whereabouts of the minor children captured on the video being forcefully removed from school on 5th August is still unknown.

It is reported that members of the Incredible Happenings Ministry Church continued with their Sunday service after their structure was burnt to the ground on Tuesday, 6 August.

This was after Mboro was captured harassing and intimidating school staff in a widely circulated video, allegedly taken at Matsediso Primary School in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, on Monday 5 August. The video appears to show Mboro and another man wielding pangas, while a masked man carries what seems to be a rifle. 

On the other side of a closed orange gate, two men appear to be having an intense interaction. Mboro was also seen charging with a panga at staff members trying to stop him, and those who were filming him. While the other man forcefully removed two children from school, believed to be Mboro’s grandchildren.



The altercation appears to be part of a broader dispute over the custody and maintenance of the children, following the death of their mother.

Community backlash and church arson


In response to the school incident, a group of youths, predominantly schoolchildren and community members, marched to Mboro’s church premises in protest. 

The demonstration resulted in the marquee tent of Incredible Happenings Ministry being set ablaze on 6 August 2024.

Read more: Pastor Mboro’s Katlehong church set alight after alleged school abduction

Following this incident, at least five dockets were opened, and five people were arrested, including Mboro, his bodyguard Baloyi, a relative, the maternal grandmother, and the uncle of the children.

Paseka ‘Pastor Mboro’ Mostoeneng. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)


Case postponed


Last Wednesday, the five briefly appeared at separate times at Palm Ridge Magistrate court with Mboro, his bodyguard and relative remanded for bail hearing on 16 August, which has since been postponed to 19 August.

The trio faces 12 charges including kidnapping, possession of an unlicensed firearm, discharging a firearm, assault and malicious property damage.  

The other two accused were released on R1,000 bail each, on condition that they have no direct or indirect contact with the complainants or State witnesses. They face intimidation and assault charges, after cases were lodged against them by Motsoeneng.

The matter was postponed to 10 September 2024, for further investigation. DM

 

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