Python removed from community
A python kept by a Winterveldt traditional healer, was confiscated by the SPCA.
An African python has been removed from Winterveldt, Pretoria North.
Concerned residents contacted the SPCA, nature conservation and the police on Tuesday to inform them a pastor, who is also a traditional healer and a prophet, was keeping a huge black python in his yard.
The residents said they feared for their children’s safety.
James Mashaba (22) the traditional healer, prophet and pastor of Mphafudi in Winterveldt, claimed he kept the snake for healing purposes.
“I heal and pray for sick people,” he said.
The residents said they were initially happy when the pastor arrived in the area four months ago but were surprised he had brought a snake into their community.
He erected a flag that represented his church and residents hoped their spiritual suffering would be a thing of the past.
A few weeks later however, things took a bad turn when the pastor arrived home carrying a giant live python inside an 80kg maize meal bag.
Some of the frightened neighbours claimed the python had not eaten a thing since Mashaba brought it home.
They said Mashaba was placing his three young kids’ lives in danger.
Mashaba said he got the snake from his ancestors.
“My wife was seriously ill and needed to be healed. One night, as I was sleeping, my ancestors communicated a message to me. They showed me a huge black python sitting under a tree at Tswaing mountain,” he said.
He said the ancestors ordered him to fetch the snake and use its skin to cure his wife.
Mashaba said that was how his journey to becoming a traditional healer started.
Residents however, remained adamant that a snake was not welcome in the community.
“Our kids must be free to walk and play in the streets. How do they walk free in the streets knowing there is a slithering newcomer in the vicinity?” asked one resident.
Inspector Mishack Matlou of the SPCA said he placed the snake in a bucket and took it to an animal clinic in Pretoria East.
After the snake was confiscated, Mashaba allegedly threatened some of the neighbours he suspected of calling the officials.
He allegedly told them they would pay for what they did.
He threatened to cast spells on all the neighbours who he believed were against him.
Also read:
Pastor turns snakes into chocolate
SPCA takes action against snake-feeding pastor
Pastor turns service into strip show
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