Parliament, Tuesday, 6 August 2024 – The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries, Mr Makhi Feni, has welcomed the arrest of the people accused of brandishing dangerous weapons and rifles at a primary school in Gauteng.
Controversial religious leader Mr Paseka “Pastor Mboro” Motsoeneng was allegedly seen brandishing a dangerous weapon threatening educators and learners at Matsediso Primary School in Katlehong, Gauteng. With him, as seen in the social media video, was another assailant who carried a high-calibre assault rifle.
Mr Feni said this behaviour was of the worse kind and should never be tolerated in schools. “What we saw on the social media video was traumatic and should never have happened. It became clear that even the security at the school, if there is any, would have been threatened to confront the two men. Our children should not see what happened yesterday.”
“So ironic is the issue that a person calling himself the man of God and a pastor will display the most ungodly behaviour in front of young children. If anything, the men seemed mentally unstable,” Mr Feni said.
Schools must be secured against this sort of behaviour, he said. “The safety of children should be guaranteed at all times inside the school premises. It would be preferable if an example could be made on this one case, before anyone else would want to copy the same behaviour,” he added.
Mr Feni also noted the outcome of an incident at the Pretoria High School where 12 learners were absolved of any racist behaviour. Mr Feni welcomed the Department of Basic Education’s inquiry into racist elements. “The probe will help guide on this sensitive matter, which South Africans should not take lightly given our history as a country,” the Chairperson said.
The committee condemned the reported actions of learners who vandalised and burnt Mr Mboro’s church in revenge.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, SCIENCES AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES, MR MAKHI FENI
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