PASTOR Stephens Sebola (54) was bust while praying for his congregants, and residents are unhappy about the way cops treated him.
The pastor and four community leaders from Glen Marikana, near Kempton Park in Ekurhuleni, were bust for malicious damage to property on 10 July.
The community leaders were taken from their homes and Sebola was bust after two police vans were damaged in the squatter camp three weeks ago.
Residents want Kempton Park police to drop the charges against them.
The pastor’s wife Tshishoneng (40) said she was angry that cops bust him without a warrant.
“They came while he was praying for the people. Such disrespect!” she said.
Daily Sun spoke to the pastor, who said he’d never been this embarrassed.
“I’ll pray about this and God will deal with them,” Sebola said.
The arrested community leaders said they were being falsely accused.
Daily Sun spoke to squatter camp residents who were complaining about the arrests. They said Kempton Park cops don’t take their problems seriously.
Lindiwe Zulu (34) said last month she went to the police to report her abusive boyfriend and wasn’t helped. Koena Monama (37) said they couldn’t have a good relationship with the cops if they were working against them.
Kempton Park police spokesman Captain Jethro Mtshali said a case of malicious damage to property was opened and was under investigation.
The suspects appeared in court on Friday and the pastor and two others were granted R500 bail each.
The other suspects were still in custody.
