Snake-feeding pastor in court
The trial of the snake-feeding Soshanguve pastor was postponed by the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrates Court on Monday.
A Soshanguve pastor accused of feeding his congregation live snakes appeared in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Pastor Penuel Mnguni (24) of the End Times Disciples Ministries church faced charges of animal cruelty, said Tshwane SPCA inspector Mishack Matlou. The matter was postponed to a date still to be determined.
Mnguni is out on bail of R1000.
The pastor was arrested by Soshanguve police on Saturday night after the SPCA laid a charge of animal cruelty against him. He allegedly fed his congregation live snakes last week.
Mnguni arrived at the court with a throng of followers and members of his church, many of whom said they were against his arrest.
“He does not force us to eat snakes. We do it on our free will,” said one of them.
Matlou said the SPCA was still to discuss issues around the case with its legal experts, adding: “The pastor should not be allowed to continue feeding people with snakes while the case is still on going,” said Matlou.
Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Matthews Nkoadi confirmed the pastor had been released on bail.
Nkoadi said the police had visited his church several times with a warrant of arrest without finding him.
However, on Saturday evening the police received a tip off from a concerned member of the community that the prophet was among his congregation, attending a weekly weekend church service.
Nkoadi said: “Our members swiftly responded to the tip-off. Mnguni was found standing outside the church wearing pyjamas and they arrested him”.
Last Wednesday, Mnguni posted pictures on Facebook showing him feeding his congregation live snakes. He said the snakes tasted like Chomp chocolate.
Mnguni told the SPCA he did not keep snakes but said he would grab one and take it to church whenever he came across it, even lizards, as God gave him power to turn these into chocolates.
African Christian Democratic Party leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe welcomed the arrest, accusing Mnguni of being a false prophet.
“We welcome the arrest of Mgnuni who has used religion to abuse innocent people. Making them eat animals is wrong and exposing them to diseases. We welcome the arrest and I am hoping he does not carry on with his antics.”
Matlou said a preliminary inquiry was conducted before the charge was laid.
“What we saw in the pictures was cruel. Imagine being eaten alive? We are happy because the suspect is facing the music. We are much disappointed of the prophetic act,” he said.
“We expect to see the prophet teaching his congregation about love and not cruelty to creatures. We hope the case will set an example to many animal abusers.”
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