In the Lebowakgomo policing district near Polokwane in Limpopo, a 33-year-old priest who was stranded and experiencing hallucinations on the Chuenespoort Mountains had to be rescued by police.
George Mondane, a Zionist priest from the nearby Makgofe hamlet in Seshego, allegedly travelled to the highlands early on Monday, September 5, 2022 to hold a covert prayer meeting.
PRIEST OF LIMPOPO CAPTURED IN THE MOUNTAINS
The priest lost his bearings after his private prayer because he felt unsettled and hallucinated, according to authorities.
The priest, according to police, also realised that he was out of food and water and hurriedly ransack the mountains. Fortunately, his phone was fully charged, so he was able to contact for assistance.
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The victim was successfully recovered at 18:00, according to spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Melesela Ledwaba, after a search operation by members of the SAPS Air Wing and Water Wing Rescue Unit. He was subsequently given minimal dehydration and shock treatment before being sent to his house.
When exercising or engaging in rituals in dangerous locations, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the commissioner of the Limpopo Police Force, issued a warning to community members. He explained that doing so frequently results in resources being diverted from crime prevention efforts for search and rescue operations.
PASTOR IMPONED FOR STEALING RIFLES FROM CONGREGANT
Pastor Walter Mashalane, the founder and senior pastor of In His Presence Ministries Church in Limpopo, received a five-year jail term for guns theft and possession of an unregistered rifle and ammunition.
The Senwabarwana Regional Court in Limpopo determined that the 46-year-old went up to one of his churchgoers and asked her to bring two weapons that belonged to her husband so they could be prayed for since he claimed to have had bad dreams about them in 2019.