This was after viewing violent video footage of an incident involving Motsoeneng, the leader of the Incredible Happenings Church.
In a media statement, Thring explained: “In the video, Motsoeng, escorted by an armed bodyguard, was brandishing a panga, threatening staff with the weapon and lunging dangerously at individuals who attempted to stop him from removing his grandchildren from Matshidiso Primary School.”
Motsoeng allegedly entered the school forcefully, demanding to fetch his grandchildren, over whom he does not have custody.
“A call to the office of a prophet, apostle, evangelist, pastor or teacher is considered the highest call a man or woman can receive. On accepting such a call, one subjects him/herself to the Lordship of Christ Jesus and commits to a lifestyle and behaviour in keeping with the tenets of scripture.
“Scripture, particularly, calls for leaders in the church to be temperate, sober-minded, of good behaviour, not violent, and not quarrelsome.
“The leaders of the ACDP have always attempted to live exemplary lives, in keeping with our belief system, to show what it means to be a follower of Christ.
“Certainly, we are to desist from bringing the name of our saviour and the church into disrepute by our actions.
“While there may have been extenuating circumstances, the behaviour of Motsoeng must be condemned in the strongest possible way. We must remember South African communities are plagued with acts of violence daily, leaving many traumatised.
“Church leaders should do everything possible to reduce the pain inflicted by violence, not accentuate it.
“The ACDP condemns what looks like reprisal action taken by members of the community of Katlehong, who burned down Motsoeng’s church. There is no place for vigilantism in South Africa and as Motsoeng must be held accountable in terms of the law, those responsible for burning down the Incredible Happenings Church must be brought to book.
“The ACDP calls on Motsoeng to unreservedly apologise and to desist from such unbecoming behaviour in the future.
“Additionally, we call on the community of Katlehong not to take the law into their own hands, so that peace and calm may be restored in the community.”
The controversial video incident has come under further attack from community leaders and religious bodies, especially for the parts where Motsoeng was brandishing two pangas.
Motsoeng, together with his bodyguard Vincent Baloyi, remains under police detention, pending his application for bail concerning the viral video footage on social media.
The case will be back at the Palm Ridge Court on September 10.
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