Mbhoro weaves peace in Katlehong

The controversial prophet and leader of the Incredible Happenings Ministries, Paseka Motsoeneng, also popularly known as Mbhoro, has taken the first step towards bringing peace between foreign traders and the angry residents of Katlehong.

This follows a series of deadly attacks by local residents against foreign traders which left one local resident dead, including an unborn baby whose mother was among the several victims who were injured during the recent battles, which saw scores of foreigners hounded out of their rented backyardshops in the Mandela Park informal settlement, Nhlapho, Shongweni and Moshoeshoe sections in Katlehong last month.

Many of the foreigners were forced to flee their looted and vandalised shops and sought refuge at the Katlehong North SAPS.

Addressing almost 600 of his loyal congregants, including the leadership of the local student group, Cosas, who packed a large white tent decked out with the colours of the church, on Sunday, April, 10, in Katlehong. The Prophet also welcomed the almost 100 mainly Muslim foreign shop owners – mainly, Bangladeshi, Pakistanis and Ethiopians – who were caught in the recent wave of lootings and vandalism which erupted in the township a fortnight ago.

Mbhoro appealed to his congregants, many of them residents from areas affected by the recent violence and some from other parts of Kathorus, to unite and establish business partnerships with the foreign traders. He also urged the leadership of the student body, Cosas, to join them and embrace foreigners for the common good of the community.

To achieve this, Mbhoro urged the foreigners to establish business links with the communities they serve. “You have the collective power to purchase your goods in bulk and as a result you are able to reduce your prices. Our people cannot do that, but if you work with them they can learn from you,” he said.

Although no final conclusions were reached, and more meetings may be called in future, Sunday’s meeting, which was aimed at patching the strained relationships between the community and foreign spaza shop owners, seem to have paved the way for what could be a lasting peace between the warring factions.

“We cannot call for you to be chased out of the townships,” said Mbhoro in extending a hand of friendship to the foreign traders. “But we need you to integrate yourselves fully with the community,” he said.

Some of the tentative resolutions taken by the sides during the meeting, include:

· Traders and communities are both willing to work closely together.

· Local youths would participate in internships and learn basic skills.

· Cosas also raised the issue of foreigners bringing weapons into the townships.

Mbhoro urged members of his congregation and the community of Katlehong to embrace foreigners and continue to support their businesses in the townships. “But you must remember, there are no jobs and you must employ us,” he said as he addressed the largely Muslim foreigners as they gathered in the tent.

The prophet’s peace initiative was supported by the local ward 62 Clr, Londi Nkosi, together with parliamentary representative Nhlanhla Mncube, who attended the prophet’s peace initiative. “I fully support this process and as the local ward councillor, I will ensure at all costs that it is successful,” said an elated Clr Nkosi.

See story on page 4 for more about Mbhoro.