A local pastor is in trouble with the law after being charged with animal cruelty by the Louis Trichardt Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
The charges against pastor Charles Mudau (who refers to himself as Prophet Mudau) of the Potter's House Word Church, situated at Muduluni village in the Kutama area, followed an incident during a live streaming of one of his church services on Sunday, 16 July, this year.
On that day, Mudau and fellow congregants captured a young Western Barn Owl outside their church building and subjected it to a "cleansing ceremony". The owl was taken inside the church, where Mudau and three other congregants proceeded to torture the animal, first with a wooden pole and then by pouring so-called anointing oil and miracle salt over the owl's head and in its eyes. The animal was clearly in severe distress and trying to escape without success as it was held down by force by a man, while another individual was filming the whole abuse. Although the owl was then released, the animal was clearly severely injured as it struggled to get away from its abusers.
The local SPCA was made aware of the abuse after Mudau posted the video (and some photos) on his Facebook page under the heading "Another victory in the name of Jesus. An Evil owl was caught during live service @Potter's House Word Church Muduluni Village Ha-Kutama Limpopo Province".
The post caused a furore on social media, especially from Christians distancing themselves from such abusive behaviour perpetrated in the name of Jesus. "Mara why??????? Pastors are so desperate for followers ... surely they even plotted ... stop deceiving people," was the comment of Phumudzo Percy Maphaha on Mudau's Facebook post. "This is part of the reasons why most people don't take Christianity seriously," commented another Facebook user, Funi Malise. Unfortunately, some also found the whole abuse very funny, while other defended Mudau's actions. "It takes spiritual eyes and revelation to see if is an ordinary owl or not. Witches use anything. But above all let the will of God be done. What we don't understand is better to be silent than to criticise the hand of God," wrote Facebook user Rofhiwa Tshivhase Raphalalani.
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A screen capture of some of the comments on "Prophet" Mudau's Facebook page underneath the video he posted about the "cleansing" of an "evil owl" during his live Sunday service on 16 July this year. |
After being made aware of the incident and video on social media, local SPCA inspector Lawrence Khodobo went to Muduluni Village on 20 July to meet with Mudau. Upon introducing himself, Khodobo said that Mudau had informed him that he was not surprised to see Khodobo, because he had seen the unhappy comments of people on Facebook. According to Khodobo, Mudau told him that he believed that the owl was possessed by an evil spirit as it was out during the day. Mudau apparently emphasised that, to him, owls were nocturnal and did not come out during the day. Khodobo said Mudau had informed him that he had used his anointing oil and miracle salt to cast away the demon and then set the bird free. According to Mudau, his intention had not been to kill the owl as he feared for his life too.
Khodobo returned to the church the following day to pursue his investigation. He was then informed that the owl had first been spotted on a pole some 10 metres away from the church. It then flew to the roof of the church, which is about eight metres high. Church members then went to fetch a ladder and long pole, which they used to knock the owl off the roof and to the ground. What happened next is what was recorded above.
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A screen capture of "Prophet" Mudau's Facebook page with photos of him holding the owl under the heading "Another victory in the name of Jesus. An Evil owl was caught during live service @Potter's House Word Church Muduluni Village Ha-Kutama Limpopo Province". |
The whole incident left Khodobo outraged and he proceeded to lay criminal charges against Mudau and three of his congregants identified from the video. The charges relate to the contravention of the Animal Protection Act 71 of 1962. Khodobo stated that in this case, as with cases such as illegal dogfighting, bystanders can also be identified; all present during the abuse are charged. If found guilty, in this instance, Mudau and his congregants could face a prison sentence of up to 12 months or a fine not exceeding R40 000.
Mudau and the three co-accused, identified as a Messrs Mushiane, Mugada and Makushu, appeared in the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate's Court on several charges relating to the Animal Protection Act 71 of 1962 on 11 August and their case was postponed until 31 October this year for further police investigations.
This case is another classic example of where African superstition conflicts with the law. In this case, the belief is that when an owl visits you, an evil spirit is actually visiting you. "That is what they are saying, even the pastor. He said it is a bad omen and people are using it for witchcraft. But in the Bible it says the owl represents wisdom and knowledge," said Khodobo. He added that superstition was no excuse to torture an animal.
Despite the charges against Mudau and the outrage about the video and photos, both the video and posts were still on Mudau's Facebook page on Wednesday morning.