Snake pastor still sought
Pastors who fail to appear after they have been summoned could face arrest.
Soshanguve snake pastor Penuel Mnguni is still being sought by the Commission for the Protection of Cultural, Linguistic, and Religious Rights of Communities.
Commission spokesperson Richard Mkholo told Rekord this week, that it was trying to find Mnguni to summon him to appear before the commission.
The commission has so far summoned nearly 40 churches leaders to appear before it in Gauteng in December.
It is investigating the commercialisation of religion and the abuse of people’s beliefs.
“All pastors who fail to appear after they have been summoned could face arrest,” said Mkholo.
Mkholo said the commission wanted to question Mnguni about some weird practices in his church.
Mnguni raised eyebrows recently when it was reported that he gave his congregants snakes and rats to eat, apparently saying they would taste like chocolate.
“We have formally launched an investigative study to unpack this phenomenon and address all the concerns and complaints about this matter and other related practices,” said Mkholo.
He said the pastor’s residential address was not known.
“He has vanished. We do not know where he is now. Last we heard he had opened another church in Mmakaunyane, but when we went there, we were told he had been chased away,” said Mkholo.
Mkholo appealed to anyone who might know the whereabouts of the snake pastor to alert the commission on: 011-358-9100.
According to the Commissions Act 19 of 2002, the institution has the power to investigate any issue concerning the rights of cultural, religious and linguistic communities.
Under the act, people can be summoned to give evidence and produce documents as specified, including bank statements.
“We will open cases against people and the police will enforce the law,” said Mkholo.
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