How controversial pastor who told church members to eat snake was arrested

A controversial pastor in Pretoria, South Africa, who told members of his church to eat a snake he had allegedly turned into chocolate has been arrested by the police.

According to local newspaper, Penuel Mnguni of End Times Disciples Ministries was apprehended and will appear in court on the charges of animal cruelty.

Last week, the self-acclaimed prophet had reportedly 'declared' a snake to become chocolate, ordering members of his congregation to eat it, which they did without hesitation.

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The photos were uploaded on the church's official Facebook page and went viral afterwards.

Ga-Rankuwa police spokesperson Captain Reineth Motlana said Prophet Penuel Mnguni of End Times Disciples Ministries would probably appear in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of cruelty to animals.

Times Live reports that the charges were laid by the Tshwane SPCA.

READ: In South Africa: Controversial pastor asks female members to strip, walks over them during deliverance

“What we saw in the pictures is cruel. Imagine being eaten alive! This has to stop‚” Mishack Matlou‚ an SPCA inspector in the Tshwane north region, said in a statement.

However, Mnguni has been released on R1,500 bail.