Chickens come home to roost for Limpopo pastor

Potter’s House Word Church’s senior pastor, Charles Mudau, and two of his congregants Justice Makushu and Albert Mushiana, have been slapped with a R20 000 fine or 12 months behind bars for torturing an owl.

Trouble for the trio began last year when a Western Barn Owl was spotted on the roof of the church building during a Sunday service.

When singing, loud claps and shouting of Bible verses were not enough to chase it away, Makushu and Mushiana caught the owl using a stick. They hit it until it fell to the ground and took it inside the church where they poured salt in its eyes and pouring oil on its head.

They believe that an owl is a symbol of evilness.

The trio was charged with animal cruelty.

State advocate, Tula Bekwa, told the court that the country’s environmental laws do not provide immunity to religious beliefs, culturalists and traditionalists.

“The conduct of the accused was deplorable and an indication that they have no respect for animal life,” added Bekwa.

The NPA in Limpopo says it hopes the sentence will send a strong message to people who commit animal cruelty.

The SPCA’s Azwihangwisi Khodobo agrees and says despite people’s beliefs about certain animals, it is important to remember that they also have rights.

He has advised the public to use SPCA services when confronted with a situation that they deem dangerous.