The church of a contentious South African preacher was set on fire following his alleged attack with machetes at a primary school and his forceful removal of his grandchildren.
On Tuesday, Pastor Mboro’s Incredible Happenings Church was set on fire by enraged schoolchildren, according to local reports.
The day prior, a widely disseminated video emerged to show Pastor Mboro, whose real name is Paseka Motsoeneng, brandishing blades during a tense confrontation with teachers in Katlehong, a township near Johannesburg.
He was escorted by a man holding what police later recognized as a replica firearm.
The two young children shown in the video are at the center of a custody battle after their mother passed away, according to provincial authorities. Police have arrested five people connected to the school incident.
They described the video as depicting “intimidation and violence,” with men “harassing students and teachers.”
Other footage shows Pastor Mboro’s church, housed in a marquee tent, ablaze with thick black smoke pouring out.
News 24 reported that pupils in school uniforms were seen fleeing from the church, which was also ransack.
Authorities in Ekurhuleni, where the church is situated, stated on social media platform X that “anger erupted after Mboro wasn’t arrested following yesterday’s incident, leading to the tent burning.”
They noted that Pastor Mboro was arrested on Tuesday morning, but police have verified whether he was among the five people locked up.
Pastor Mboro, known as a self-proclaimed prophet, has amassed a large following across South Africa.
Pastor Mboro asserted that he performs miracles, including healing individuals during sermons and removing a fish from a pregnant woman’s womb.
South African Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube expressed strong condemnation of the school attack on X, saying, “I am appalled by this assault on our schools, staff, and students.”
No one should enter schools with weapons, disrupt learning, and frighten children.” Police reported that the arrested individuals face charges of assault, intimidation, and property damage.
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