Angry South African schoolchildren allegedly looted and set alight a church Tuesday belonging to a pastor who stormed a school with machetes, according to local reports, the BBC reported.
Paseka Motsoeneng, the pastor, allegedly stormed the primary school to forcibly remove his two grandchildren from its premises due to a custody battle following their mother passing away, the outlet reported. (RELATED: REPORT: 45 People Dead After Bus Full Of Christians En Route To Easter Worship Falls Off South African Cliff)
Arrests after South African pastor storms school with machete https://t.co/QmuWXapH9N
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) August 6, 2024
The pastor was aided in his act of trespass by a man carrying what police said was a replica firearm, the BBC reported. Police reportedly said they arrested five people involved in the incident on school grounds. Police did not confirm whether Motsoeneng was among those arrested, according to the outlet.
South African Minister of Education Siview Gwarube condemned “the horrific incident” on Twitter. “I am absolutely incensed by this attack on our schools, staff and learners. No one – absolutely no one – should break into schools with weapons interrupting teaching and learning time and terrorizing children. Schools should be a place of safety, teaching and learning. This is why I’ve asked my colleague’s intervention on this matter. The perpetrators *must* be apprehended and charged,” the minister tweeted.
Following the horrific incident in Katlehong yesterday where two learners were allegedly abducted by gun wielding men with pangas – I have engaged with the Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu this morning for urgent investigation by the SAPS. Additionally, I have spoken to the MEC in…
— Siviwe Gwarube (@Siviwe_G) August 6, 2024
A day later, the Incredible Happenings Church belonging to Motsoeneng was reportedly looted and burned, the outlet reported. New24 reported that they observed multiple minors in school dress running away from the burning church. A video of the church fire was shared by the outlet.
District commissioner Major General Anna Sithole told the outlet pupils from neighboring schools were responsible for the incident and that those who were alleged to have lit the fire or to have looted in view of law enforcement would be arrested.
“Those pupils [are allegedly] used by Motsoeneng’s enemies. They don’t have reasons why they burnt the church,” Carol Mbatha, a member of the pastor’s congregation, told the outlet.
Motsoeneng claims to be a prophet who has performed miracles, including healing individuals during sermons and delivering a fish from a pregnant woman’s womb, the BBC reported. The pastor’s flock numbers in the thousands across the country, the outlet noted.