SA pastor who made his followers eat snake/cloth, arrested, granted bail

Pastor Penuel Mnguni, the controversial South African pastor of the End Times Disciples Ministries who is known for subjecting his congregation to all kinds of craziness, including swallowing snakes, eating cloth/grass, etc all in the name of performing deliverance, was arrested by the South African police over the weekend but was granted bail today July 20th.

The South African Society for Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals opened a case against the controversial pastor late last week. The association say they will pursue a criminal case against him.

SPCA inspector Mishack Matlou said:

"We are conducting a preliminary inquiry with an intention of opening a criminal case against him. What we saw in the pictures is cruel. Imagine being eaten alive! This has to stop. He (the pastor) has now been charged with animal cruelty and will appear in court on Monday."

The Interfaith Council of South Africa's spokesperson while condemning the actions of the self-acclaimed prophet says the state cannot intervene because there is freedom of religion in South Africa and it’s up to religious leaders to self-regulate.

The controversial pastor appeared before a magistrate court in Pretoria today and was granted bail of $120 (£77).