Supporters flock to court for pastor’s case

Controversial pastor Paseka Motsoeneng,(in Blue Suit) also known as Mboro, appeared in the Vereeniging Magistrates Court.The pastor is on trial for allegedly pointing a firearm at radio presenters.383 Picture: Matthews Baloyi 7/2/2013

Controversial pastor Paseka Motsoeneng,(in Blue Suit) also known as Mboro, appeared in the Vereeniging Magistrates Court.The pastor is on trial for allegedly pointing a firearm at radio presenters.383 Picture: Matthews Baloyi 7/2/2013

Published Jul 3, 2013

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Johannesburg - “Fire! Fire in the name of Jesus!” These were words chanted by dozens of Incredible Happening Church members outside the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where their pastor Paseka “Mbhoro” Motsoeneng was appearing.

The crowd - mostly elderly women and mothers carrying small babies - marched outside the court, their right hands in the air as their controversial pastor led them in prayer.

Motsoeneng’s bodyguards could be seen among the crowd taking pictures of the pastor while marshals directed the congregation as it marched, singing praise songs.

Along with Cyrus Virus Ephraim and Gregory Mxadana, Motsoeneng was in court to face charges of pointing a firearm and malicious damage to property.

It is alleged that the pastor and his co-accused pointed a firearm at radio presenters and a former Daily Sun cameraman outside Thetha FM studios last February.

Tumelo Mofokeng, a cameraman, said that on the day of the incident he was in Sebokeng when a friend sent him an SMS that there was trouble at the Orange Farm radio station.

He told the court that upon arrival, he found radio presenters outside the station with the pastor.

Mofokeng stated that the station was locked, and Motsoeneng approached a security guard for keys as he had a radio slot. An argument ensued.

He explained that when one of the presenters arrived at the station, Motsoeneng ordered that gates be closed before running around waving his gun at them.

But defence lawyer Jaco van Heerden told Mofokeng that his testimony contradicted that of the first witness.

Van Heerden told Mofokeng that accused two and three would testify that they never had a gun or pointed one at anyone. The trial was postponed to July 10.

The Star

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