Superstitious Church Members Sentenced for Torturing Owl
They took the owl inside the church, ill-treated it by pouring salt on its eyes and pouring oil on its head.
Superstitious Church Members Sentenced for Torturing Owl
On Monday, 14 October, the Tshilwavhusiku Magistrates Court in Limpopo sentenced a senior pastor of the Potters House Word Church, Charles Mudau (43), and congregants, Justice Makushu (54) and Albert Mushiana (54), from Vhembe district to 12 months’ imprisonment wholly suspended for five years or to pay a fine of R20 000 for a count of animal cruelty.
The court further sentenced them 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.
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This after the holy offenders were found guilty of killing an owl after putting it through a cruelty process.
Superstitious Church Members Sentenced for Torturing Owl
According to Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi Limpopo’s NPA regional spokeswoman, on 18 July 2023 at Tshilwavhusiku Potter’s House, the three accused spotted a Western Barn Owl on top of the church’s building during a church service.
“It's reported they caught it using a stick, and hit it until it fell to the ground. They then took it inside the church, ill-treated it by pouring salt on its eyes and further poured oil on its head. The incident was captured by the church’s videographer and later posted 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,” said Mashudu.
State advocate Tula Bekwa also submitted that section 24 of the Constitution guarantees everyone the right to an environment that's not harmful to their health or well-being, and to have the environment protected for the benefit of present and future generations.
