By Doreen Mokgolo
Pastor Paseka Mboro of the Incredible Happenings Church spent another night in police custody before the ruling on his bail application is handed down by the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
On Wednesday, magistrate Katlego Mokoena adjourned the hearing so that the defence and state could wrap up their arguments.
On 2 September, the defence announced new evidence in an effort to secure bail for Mboro. He and his bodyguard Clement Baloyi were denied bail on 29 August.
As part of the new evidence, the defence led by advocate Phillip Dlamini argued that the charges against Mboro were wrongfully classified as schedule five offences.
Mboro is facing charges of kidnapping, discharging a gun, pointing a firearm, assault by way of threats, possession of a gun, possession of prohibited firearm and possession of a dangerous firearm. He is also charged with malicious damage to property after he used a panga to break a padlock to gain access to his grandchildren’s school.
Dlamini said the pastor was not kidnapping his two grandchildren.
“There is no court order granting the children’s maternal grandmother temporary custody.”
The defence argued that the firearm taken from Mboro is a replica and not a real firearm.
They furnished the court with a copy of a purchase slip for a gun that fires blanks.
State prosecutor Pheello Vilakazi argued that the defence was only submitting the purchase slip for one firearm, yet there were two guns in the video.
The second firearm has not been handed in by Mboro.
“A 9mm blank fully firing rifle and two pangas were recovered from the suspects but the one that was discharged is still missing,” said investigating officer Maisibe Ngoepe while testifying on the events of 5 August.
“Records show that Mboro owns two licensed firearms.”
Gauteng SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo said the results from ballistics on the firearms in question have not been released.
Mboro went to Matshidiso Primary School in Katlehong on 5 August armed with semi-automatic rifles and pangas, demanding that his two grandchildren be released into his care without their primary caregiver’s knowledge.
In videos that went viral, Mboro can be seen wielding pangas and threatening to assault teachers while his bodyguard carries what appear to be semi-automatic firearms.
Pictured above: Pastor Paseka Mboro has been praying for bail.
Source: Doreen Mokgolo
