PASTOR AND TWO MEMBERS OF CHURCH ARRESTED FOR TORTURING AN OWL SAYING IT HAS WITCH SPIRITS.(PHOTO).

 Pastor Charles Mudau and two members of the Potters House Word Church, Albert Mushiana and Justice Makushu, appeared in the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrate’s Court on Monday, facing charges of animal cruelty after torturing an owl.

The trio were sentenced to a fine of R20,000 or 12 months in prison, with the sentence suspended for five years.

Limpopo regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said the state and defence entered into a plea and sentence agreement in terms of section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977.

They were also ordered to pay a fine of R15,000 or 12 months imprisonment wholly suspended for five years on condition that each accused pays an amount of R7,500 as compensation to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Louis Trichardt.

This comes after an incident on July 23, 2023, in which Mudau, Makushu, and Mushiana captured and a western Barn Owl on top of the church’s building during a church service.

They caught it using a stick, hit it until it fell to the ground. They then took it inside the church, ill-treated it by pouring with an “anointing oil” on its head and “miracle salt” in its eyes.

The incident was recorded on video by the church’s videographer and it was later posted it on social media.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) was alerted and a case was opened which led to the arrest and prosecution of the three accused.

SPCA senior inspector Lawrence Khodobo said they chose to look into the matter because the owl was distressed and injured during the incident.