Gauteng Education, Sport, Arts, Culture & Recreation MEC, Matome Chiloane, and the Democratic Alliance (DA) have jointly condemned the violent incident that occurred on Monday, 5 August, at Matshidiso Primary School in Katlehong.
This shocking event involved three men who violently threatened the safety of teachers and learners.In a series of distressing videos circulating on social media, Pastor Paseka Motsoeneng, widely known as “Pastor Mboro,” is seen wielding pangas and threatening teachers on school premises. Additionally, another man is seen forcibly seizing two learners amidst the chaos, while a third individual brandishes an assault rifle.
This appalling behaviour has no place in our schools or society. A preliminary report reveals that a conflict between two families over the custody of two boy learners in Grade RR and Grade 2 escalated into this violent confrontation. The dispute began after the mother of the children passed away in April this year, leading to tensions between the paternal and maternal sides of the family.
On the day of the incident, the father of the children had a meeting with the principal in the morning. Later, the maternal grandmother, the alleged guardian, also met with the principal to report a conflict that occurred during a weekend meeting at the paternal grandfather’s house, who is the famous pastor. The Deputy Principal and staff members refused to release the children without the grandmother’s permission, leading to the pastor arriving at the school with bodyguards and weapons.
The violent episode unfolded in the afternoon when the father, accompanied by Pastor Mboro and another man armed with an assault rifle, came to fetch the children. Teachers, following the grandmother’s instructions, tried to prevent the father from leaving with the children.
The pastor then brandished a panga at the teachers, enabling the father to take the children. The incident prompted community involvement and a report to the police by the principal and the School Governing Body (SGB). The Child Protection Unit is now set to mediate the situation, and Psycho-Social Support will be deployed to assist the affected teachers and learners in coping with the trauma.
MEC Chiloane stated, “The safety and well-being of our learners and educators are of utmost priority. Such acts of violence and intimidation not only undermine the foundation of our education system but also have the potential to traumatise the entire school community. This incident occurred in a primary school, in full view of young children and their teachers.
The Department is committed to ensuring that justice is served in this matter. We will not tolerate any acts of violence or intimidation and will take all necessary measures to protect our learners and educators.
Michael Waters, DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Education, expressed grave concern over the incident and called for immediate action from the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) to enhance security measures in schools. He stated, “The safety of learners and teachers must be prioritised. No one, including Pastor Mboro, is permitted to enter a school and threaten anyone. This is one of many incidents in our schools where dangerous weapons are used to intimidate teachers and learners. Such behaviour is reprehensible and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.”
The DA urges the Departments of Education and Community Safety to review the school safety strategy to ensure that learners are taught in an environment free of violence.
Both MEC Chiloane and the DA stress the importance of swift and decisive action to prevent such incidents from recurring and to uphold the safety and security of all school communities in Gauteng.
