Pastor Mboro granted bail

Pastor Paseka “Mboro” Motsoeneng has been granted R3 000 bail by the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Gauteng’s East Rand. His co-accused and bodyguard Vincent Baloyi was released on warning.

Mboro, Baloyi and Mboro’s son were arrested in August after a video showed them storming a primary school in Katlehong and forcefully remove Mboro’s grandchildren.

Their case has been classified from schedule 5 to a schedule 1 offence as one of the firearms held by Motsoeneng did not fall under Section 4 of the Firearms Control Act.

Magistrate Katlego Mokoena said the court was satisfied with the new facts presented.

This included that the firearm carried on the day of incident was a replica. The state did not oppose the bail bid on the new facts.

“Schedule 5 it was the applicants who needed to show it is in the interest of this court to be granted bail, which they failed to do so but now with these developments, it means that with the technicality the defence provided before this court…the court does accept that it is a new fact, and the court is satisfied. If the state proceeds with the bail it means the state must say if they object or not,” said Mokoena.

Members of the Incredible Happenings Church, who have been coming to court to support their pastor, were filled with excitement over his release on bail.

“We are hoping and we are looking forward to the release of our pastor today. As we have been following the outcomes of all the bail hearings, there is nothing tangible that we saw that they have to hold him in custody. So, definitely today is the day that he must just come out. God is with us,” a congregant said.

Defense lawyer, Advocate Phillip Dlamini has requested for his client to be able to take care of his social responsibilities.

“The condition, your worship, should allow the applicants to be able to do their social responsibilities. They have a number of works they are doing for example they are in the hostel, they have a project…the condition should not prevent them from helping the community,”

Pastor Mboro addressed his supporters and the media outside the court.

“I am happy that I am out, to build this country build our families, our grandchildren, to build South Africa.”

The case has been postponed to the 21st of October.