South African Preacher Who Fed His Congregation Snakes Arrested

Reports out of South Africa says the preacher who was seen in a photo online feeding his congregation a ‘live snake’ has been arrested by the police.

The photo of Prophet Penuel Mnguni of End Times Disciples Ministries went viral on social media. He allegedly gave his congregation live snakes to eat, telling them it would taste like chocolate.

According to the reports citing Ga-Rankuwa police,the Pretoria based preacher has been arrested on Sunday and is likely to appear in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of cruelty to animals.

Earlier in the week, the South African branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty against Animals (SPCA) had warned the preacher to keep his hands off live animals.

Ediotrs note: The story has been updated with new information.

The Pretoria prophet who allegedly ordered members of his congregation to feed on live snakes has been released on R1500 bail.

Times Live reported that the charges were laid by the Tshwane SPCA and that the controversial preacher would probably appear in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of cruelty to animals.

The SPCA confirmed last week that they intended to open a case of animal cruelty against him.

The preacher from Soshanguve, north of Pretoria, told inspectors he does not keep animals but picks them up whenever he finds them.

He even admitted to feeding lizards to his flock.

Images of Prophet Penuel Mnguni of End Times Disciples Ministries showing him feeding a live snake to one of his followers went viral last week.

The prophet allegedly told members of his church that the snakes would taste like chocolate.