State prosecutor calls for recusal of magistrate in Mboro case

The State prosecutor in the criminal case against Pastor Paseka “Mboro” Motsoeneng has requested for the recusal of the presiding magistrate.

Leepo Vilakazi has alleged that Magistrate Katlego Mokoena had asked him why he is being so hard on Mboro.

Mboro is appearing at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court in the east of Johannesburg for a bail application.

The controversial self–proclaimed prophet is facing charges of kidnapping, illegal possession of a firearm, discharging a firearm and assault among others.

Vilakazi argued that he was also not informed of a day when Mboro appeared in court on the 28th of August seeking a bail application.

He further says he was only informed that he was supposed to appear in the matter after it had been postponed.

Meanwhile, Mboro’s advocate, MoAfrika Maila, has threatened to take the matter to the high court if the case gets postponed again.

Maila says, “We are worried about our client’s rights are being compromised by the administration. So, we would have appreciated if this matter was attended as a matter of urgency because a bail application in its nature, is an urgent application. Because here we are talking about the right to freedom, somebody’s rights being at stake, but it seems like this is not an issue at this present stage.”

Outside the court, Mboro’s supporters that gathered were on their knees, praying.

VIDEO | Pastor Mboro’s lawyer tells court his client’s constitutional rights are being denied: 

-Additional reporting by Simphiwe Mabhena