Katlehong, Gauteng — In a sad and shocking turn of events, Pastor Paseka “Mboro” Motsoeneng’s once well-known church has been burned down. The Incredible Happenings Ministries, a source of hope for many in the community, was set on fire by an angry crowd on Tuesday morning.
This violent act followed a shocking incident at Matsediso Primary School. A video showed Pastor Mboro, with pangas and men carrying an automatic rifle, forcefully taking two children from the school. This led to the arrest of Mboro and three others.
The fire quickly destroyed the whole building, showing the community’s anger and frustration. Witnesses said schoolchildren, angry and upset, trashed the church tent before setting it on fire. In just half an hour, the makeshift church was burnt down, with smoke seen from far away.
The community’s reaction to this incident is divided. Some accuse the church of cult-like behaviour and crimes, including molestation and abuse. Others support Pastor Mboro, pointing out his help to the community by providing homes and food to those in need.
The conflict started over a custody dispute for the two children in the video. After their mother died in April 2024, tensions rose between their guardians, leading to the violent school incident. The children are Mboro’s grandchildren, making the situation even more personal.
As the fire burned, police and firefighters were there, but they couldn’t control the angry crowd, and the church was destroyed.
Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona confirmed that the children’s father and maternal grandmother had met with the school principal earlier that day about the custody battle.
The burning of Mboro’s church is a sad moment for the community. What was once a place of hope is now in ashes, showing the deep divisions and unresolved issues in the community.
As investigations continue and the community deals with the aftermath, the future of Incredible Happenings Ministries and its leader is uncertain. For now, the remains of what was once a place of hope continue to smoulder, reminding everyone of the day hope turned to ashes.
