Mongezi Koko19 August 2024 | 12:10

Defence in Mboro case points to discrepancies in state's submission

Mboro and his two co-accused are facing multiple charges including kidnapping, possession of dangerous weapons, and assault.

Defence in Mboro case points to discrepancies in state's submission

Pastor Mboro Motsoeneng, his son Revival and their body guard, Clement Baloyi, appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court on 7 August 2024. Picture: Xanderleigh Dookey Makhaza/EWN

JOHANNESBURG - The defence in the kidnapping case of controversial preacher Paseka ‘Mboro’ Motsoeneng has pointed to discrepancies in the state’s submissions amid a bail hearing in the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court.

Mboro and his two co-accused are facing multiple charges including kidnapping, possession of dangerous weapons, and assault.

The trio were arrested earlier in August after video footage of him wielding pangas at a school in Katlehong went viral on social media.

On the day, they attempted to forcibly remove two pupils from the school, believed to be Mboro’s grandchildren.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the incident in question was fuelled by ongoing custody issues between the maternal and paternal families of the children.

In court on Monday, Motsoeneng sat next to his co-accused and bowed his head to pray, while his counsel Phillip Dhlamini delivered a lengthy submission for the trio’s bail.

Dhlamini accused the state of playing into the public gallery and failing to furnish the court with enough reasons as to why the accused should not be released on bail.

“Keeping said applicant in prison without a basis goes first against public interest and second the rule of law.”

The bail application continues.