By Alicia Mmashakana
Cosatu, Sadtu and other teacher trade unions are outraged by the actions of Pastor Paseka ‘Mboro’ Motsoeneng, who was caught on video wielding a panga at a primary school in Katlehong yesterday.
Cosatu spokesperson Zanele Sabela, commended law enforcement for arresting Motsoeneng and his criminal companions.
“Schools are places of learning and children should feel safe on the premises, without having to contend with adults bringing violence and weapons onto the premises,” Sabela said in a statement.
Sadtu has in a tweet said that schools are not appropriate platforms to address family disagreements.
“We call on the relevant law enforcement institutions to act in the interest of the innocent children who are trapped in this terrible situation.
“Cosatu and Sadtu urges communities to participate in the ‘I am a School Fan Campaign’, to ensure that schools become safe havens where children can prosper.
“Schools must be a place of safety for children to be free and where our educators can provide a conducive learning environment. We must stop tolerating the violence, gangsterism and anarchy that has been endemic for years across many township schools. Our children and teachers deserve better,” said Sabela.
Videos of Mboro and his goons caused a storm on social media, where he was seen wielding a panga and threatening to cut people allegedly teachers at Matshidiso Primary School before one man, also holding a panga, was seen grabbing two young boys and leaving the school with them.
Mboro appeared shortly in the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, with his co-accused, bodyguard Clement Camllot Baloyi and son Vincent Revival Motsoeneng. Their bail hearing is scheduled for August 16.
The three men face 12 charges including assault, handling a firearm recklessly, rendering security services while not registered, assault and intimidation and malicious damage to property.
INSIDE EDUCATION
