Fathers 4 Justice South Africa condemns in the strongest terms possible the asinine conduct of Pastor Paseka “Mboro” Motsoeneng regarding the attack at the Katlehong school yesterday. The incident, which resulted in Pastor Mboro’s arrest along with three others, is fundamentally unacceptable on every level.
Overview of the Incident
Who Was Involved:
- Pastor Paseka “Mboro” Motsoeneng
- Three unidentified individuals
- Alleged to involve Pastor Mboro’s grandson and his father
Complaint: The attack involved a panga (machete) at the school. Pastor Mboro reportedly went to protect his grandson, although this relationship is not confirmed.
Reason for the Event: The Department of Social Development reported that there had been a conflict between two families over the custody of the boy learners enrolled at the school, in Grade RR and Grade 2. This conflict has been escalating since the children’s mother passed away in April this year, leading to a dispute between the paternal and maternal sides of the family.
Arrests and Charges: Pastor Mboro and three others were arrested following the attack. The incident is under investigation, and charges are expected.
Fathers 4 Justice South Africa’s Perspective
The conduct displayed by Pastor Mboro is fundamentally and unequivocally wrong. His actions have caused significant damage to the father’s case involved in this dispute. Such behavior has not only potentially led to criminal consequences for both the father and Pastor Mboro but also jeopardized the father’s relationship with his children.
The incident unnecessarily placed the two children in a volatile and dangerous situation, which constitutes child abuse. It also endangered other students and staff at the school. The fact that this situation did not escalate further is a blessing.
Pastor Mboro is notorious for his antics within the community, and this latest episode has caused irrevocable damage to the father’s case. Pastor Mboro must be held personally, severally, criminally, and legally liable for his actions.
Fathers 4 Justice South Africa sees this incident as a massive setback for fathers’ rights and responsibilities in the country, taking these issues back 20 to 30 years.
Broader Context of Fathers’ Rights in South Africa
The case raises broader questions about the legal framework governing guardianship and fathers’ rights in South Africa. For instance, the grandmother’s guardianship of the child needs clarification regarding its legal basis. This reflects a broader pattern where fathers’ rights are often unilaterally violated, as seen in the cases of Brothers Solomon and Castro, who lost their wives and subsequently faced significant challenges in gaining custody of their children. These men, despite not being found wanting on any level, have had their rights and responsibilities as fathers destroyed.
Daily Struggles of Fathers
Everyday cases that we as F4J deal with daily, highlight the systemic issues fathers face. Here are two examples from recent interactions:
Case 1: A father was informed that his child would no longer be able to visit him because the mother did not feel comfortable, citing concerns about his lifestyle and the lack of familiarity between him and the child. The mother suggested that he visit the child in her residence to get acquainted, implying unilateral control over access.
Case 2: Discussions about sharing custody of the child have consistently led to arguments and dissatisfaction. The mother claims that the father will be allowed to visit independently of her when she feels ready, again demonstrating unilateral decision-making.
In both instances, neither mother simply do not have this kind of decision-making power. We as F4J deal with this daily in a recurring Groundhog Day nightmare.
It was inevitable that a situation like the one that played out yesterday would eventually happen it was only a matter of time. Ultimately the minister of the Department of Social Development is responsible for making sure that a situation such as yesterday never repeats itself
A pattern where children are unilaterally removed from their fathers by their mothers or maternal grandparents, leaving fathers with little recourse. The justice system’s design is violently gynocentric and misandrist, openly hostile to fathers.
The Role of the Department of Social Development
Fathers 4 Justice South Africa has been in communication with the Department of Social Development since August or September of 2019, advocating for changes to sections 20 and 21 of the Children’s Act, which they consider problematic and unconstitutional. Despite these efforts, no progress has been made.
The organization demands that fathers be automatically and immediately granted equal rights and responsibilities to those of mothers from birth. Without such changes, incidents like the one at Katlehong will continue to occur.
The Minister is Warned
The incident involving Pastor Mboro serves as a dire warning to society about the escalating tensions and potential for violence when fathers’ rights and responsibilities are ignored or undermined. The justice system’s failure to address these issues is not just a legal problem but a social crisis.
Fathers are being pushed to the brink by a system that denies them their rights and responsibilities, often resulting in tragic consequences. Until there is a fundamental shift in how fathers are treated and their rights are recognized and upheld, we can expect more incidents like this one.
Fathers 4 Justice and other fathers’ rights movements have repeatedly engaged the Department of Social Development, 5 years later we still wait for the department to make the necessary changes – Please see our article posted no less than last week.
Conclusion
The incident involving Pastor Mboro is an extreme example of the frustrations faced by fathers in South Africa. It underscores the urgent need for systemic change to ensure fathers’ rights and responsibilities are recognized and upheld. Fathers 4 Justice South Africa remains committed to advocating for these changes and urges the Department of Social Development and the Department of Justice to take these issues seriously to prevent future incidents.
Contact Information:
- WhatsApp Messages Only: 066 331 8972
- Email: info@f4j.co.za
- Website: Fathers 4 Justice South Africa
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