A church belonging to a prominent South African pastor was destroyed in a fire on Tuesday following a chaotic incident at a local school.
The controversial preacher, Paseka ‘Mboro’ Motsoeneng, had stormed the school armed with machetes to forcibly remove his grandchildren.
A video of the incident, which quickly went viral, sparked outrage among the community.
The footage showed Motsoeneng, head of the Church of Incredible Happenings, threatening school staff with the weapons.
Police subsequently arrested four individuals involved in the confrontation.
Angered by what they perceived as preferential treatment for the pastor, students staged a protest and marched to Motsoeneng’s church.
The building, housed in a large marquee, was set ablaze and looted. Authorities later arrested a fifth person in connection with the incident but did not confirm if it was the pastor himself.
The education minister, Siviwe Gwarube, strongly condemned the attack on the school, emphasizing that such violent behavior is unacceptable.
Motsoeneng, known for his lavish lifestyle and outlandish claims, has a significant following in South Africa.
Police have recovered a replica firearm and the machetes used in the school incident. The investigation into the matter is ongoing.