'Insecticide Prophet' denounced

Photo credit: BBC

A South African pastor has been widely condemned for spraying his congregation with insecticide.
The self-proclaimed prophet Lethebo Rabalago, in a Facebook post claims a pesticide called Doom can heal people.

The manufacturer of the Doom warned of the risks of spraying the substance, while a government commission urged anyone affected to lodge complaints.

The pastor who has defended his actions, told the BBC he is using unconventional methods to heal people.
The country has seen a wave of practices where church members have been subjected to unorthodox rituals to receive healing.

In photos circulating on Facebook and Twitter, Mr Rabalago, who runs the Mount Zion General Assembly in the Limpopo province, is seen spraying the insecticide directly into the eyes and various body parts of his congregants.

According to the BBC, prophet Rabalago said that he had sprayed the face of one woman because she had an eye infection and claimed the woman was "just fine because she believed in the power of God".

He also claims the spray can heal cancer and HIV.

South Africa has reported a number of cases involving pastors who subject their congregation to barbaric acts in the name of worship. This includes 25-year old pastor Penuel Mnguni, who fed his follower snakes and rats which was claimed to have been turned into chocolate.

Source: BBC