The church of a South African preacher was burned down after he and others stormed a Johannesburg school with machetes to forcibly take his grandchildren.
Local outrage followed the viral video of the incident on Monday.
Police arrested five after the clip showed Pentecostal pastor Paseka “Mboro” Motsoeneng threatening staff with panga blades.
He led a group of men, one with a rifle, into the school to remove the children.
Authorities said the children are his grandchildren, involved in a custody battle after their mother’s death.
Initially, four were arrested for intimidation, but not Motsoeneng, leading to student protests.
Angry students, upset by perceived preferential treatment for Motsoeneng, marched on his church.
They set fire to and looted the large marquee housing it. Police later made a fifth arrest but did not name him.
A replica gun and machetes from the attack were seized. Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube condemned the school invasion.
Motsoeneng, known for claiming miracles and lavish lifestyle, has many followers in South Africa.
