An angry South African church overseer, Pastor Mboro, was arrested following an incident at a local school where he allegedly stormed the premises with a machete. Reports link this confrontation, involving two young children, to a custody dispute after their mother’s death.
Authorities have detained five people in connection with the school incident. The police stated that video footage captured “acts of intimidation and violence,” with several men seen threatening learners and teachers. The violent outburst was recorded and widely circulated on social media, sparking outrage among the community.
Further escalating the situation, Pastor Mboro’s church, housed in a marquee tent, was set ablaze, with thick, black smoke billowing from the site. Pupils in school uniforms were seen fleeing the church, which had also been looted, as reported by News 24.
The local authorities in Ekurhuleni, where the church is situated, commented on the unrest via the social media platform X, stating: “Anger erupted after Mboro wasn’t arrested following yesterday’s incident, leading to the tent burning.” While it was confirmed that Pastor Mboro was arrested on Tuesday morning, it remains unclear if he was among those detained initially.
Pastor Mboro is a self-proclaimed prophet with a significant following across South Africa. Known for his controversial claims, he purports to perform miracles, such as healing during sermons and summoning a fish from a woman’s womb.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from government officials. South African Education Minister Sihle Gwarube condemned the attack on the school, expressing her dismay on social media: “I am absolutely incensed by this attack on our schools, staff, and learners. No one – absolutely no one – should break into schools with weapons, disrupting teaching and learning time and terrorizing children.”
Police reported that those arrested face charges including assault, intimidation, and malicious damage to property, underscoring the severity of the incident.
