R400k and still no bail for Pastor Mboro

By Zukile Majova
Political Editor

In a day of high drama at the bail application of Pastor Paseka “Mboro” Motsoeneng, it was revealed that Mboro’s team of lawyers was costing him over R100,000 per court appearance.

So far Mboro has appeared four times at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court and the bill keeps going up.

His lawyer, advocate MoAfrika wa Mailae, said case postponements by state prosecutors were costing his client a fortune as he had assembled a team of lawyers –three attorneys and three advocates.

“Can you imagine how much money he is spending on legal representation a day?

“He has a senior counsel in this matter, and for every day we come here, and the matter is not being heard, we talk about an amount of at least R110,000 that he must put for us to be here,” said Wa Mailae.

Mboro is charged with kidnapping, illegal possession of a firearm, discharging a firearm and assault, among others.

These stem from an altercation at Matshidiso Primary in Ekurhuleni, where Mboro demanded that the school release his grandchildren to him without the consent of their legal guardian.

In an unexpected twist during Monday’s court appearance, state prosecutors requested the recusal of the presiding magistrate.

State prosecutor Pheello Vilakazi said Magistrate Katlego Mokoena accused him of being hard on Mboro.

Gauteng NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwana told the media that they held “a reasonable apprehension that the presiding officer will not bring an unbiased mind in adjudicating” the matter.

“Amongst the reasons advanced by the state was that she invited the defence team to her chambers in the absence of the state and allegedly informed them to ‘go and fix’ the poorly constructed affidavit before bringing an application on new facts.

“Furthermore, she allegedly made inappropriate remarks to the prosecutor seized with the bail application that he was harsh towards the accused,” said Mjonondwana.

Pictured above: Pastor Mboro in court.

Source: Doreen Mokgolo