Whether it was theatrics or real prayers, whatever words the panga wielding Pastor Paseka 'Mboro' Motsoeneng was uttering seemed to have worked in his favour because he has finally been granted bail. This was Mboro's second attempt at bail at the Palmridge Magistrate's Court after his first bid was denied last month. He has been released on R3,000 bail, while his bodyguard, Vincent Baloyi, was released on R1 000 bail.
NEW FACT
Mboro's defence re-applied for bail last week based on new facts stating that the firearm that was carried by his bodyguard, Vincent Baloyi, was a replica. The state said that they are of the view that one of the firearms held by Motsoeneng did not fall under Section 4 of the Firearms Control Act. "The state concedes that count 4 is not substantiated by the ballistic report. Based on the new evidence before court, Motsoeneng's bail application was therefore not a Schedule 5 matter," said state prosecutor Advocate Pheello Vilakazi.
I'M MBORO
Addressing the media outside court after his release, Mboro said, Just listen to me; right now I'm not talking about who opened a case against me. I have no interest in punishing the family of gangsters that attacked me; I won't harm anyone. That church tent is nothing; I want us to make peace for the sake of the children. I am Mboro!' he said. Mboro warned about the harsh life in prison and said he almost died in there. "My son, I am happy that you were protected; life in prison is no joke. Whatever you do, don't get caught. Give me a call and I'll tell you all about it,' he said, addressing his son Revival Motsweneng, who was released on bail last month.
CHARGES
Mboro, Baloyi and Revival are facing 12 charges, including kidnapping, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and assault. This follows a stunt pulled by Mboro and his accomplices at Matshediso Primary School in Katlehong, where he allegedly forcefully took his two minor grandchildren on 5 August. A video of Mboro swinging a panga at teachers with three other men armed with rifles and pangas went viral on social media last month.
