Prophet Paseka Mboro Motsoeneng, leader of the Incredible Happenings Ministry, is offering a R5 000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for burning down his church in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, 6 August, left the church reduced to ashes and sparked outrage in the community.
Mboro, who is currently facing charges related to an alleged assault incident at a local school, made the announcement during a media briefing outside his home in Albemarle Estates, Alberton. He expressed his belief that pupils from different schools in the area were responsible for the arson, but insisted that they were not the sole culprits.
"I'm going to give a R5 000 reward to anyone with information that will help the investigating officer in this case," Mboro declared.
"I know pupils burned the church, and I don't blame them, but I want to know who organised them because it's clear there were forces behind the burning of the church."
A case of arson was opened at Katlehong North Police Station, and Ekurhuleni district commissioner Major-General Anna Sithole visited the scene on 6 August. Sithole confirmed that pupils from neighbouring schools had started the blaze and vowed to arrest those responsible, as well as those who looted items in the presence of the police.
Mboro himself is currently facing charges related to an assault incident at Matsediso Primary School in Katlehong. He, along with his bodyguard, Vincent Baloyi, and a relative, were arrested on 5 August after a video went viral showing them attacking teachers at the school, armed with semi-automatic rifles and two pangas.
The incident, which reportedly stemmed from a dispute over Mboro's grandchildren, led to the arrest of the three men. Mboro was granted R3 000 bail on Thursday, 12 September, while Baloyi was released on a warning with strict conditions. The matter was postponed to 21 October for further investigations.
During the bail hearing, state prosecutor Pheello Vilakazi told the court that he received instructions from the Director of Public Prosecution that the case is not a Schedule Five offence but a Schedule One offence.
The arson attack on Mboro's church has raised concerns about the safety of religious institutions and the potential for violence in the community. Mboro's claims of "forces behind" the incident have further fuelled speculation and heightened tensions.
