Trouble for thokolosi pastor

• Wildlife demands to see captured live python

• Old woman, pastor, charged P5,000 each

A Tobane old woman whose yard was haunted by mysterious fires and a suspected thokolosi has been slapped with a P5,000 charge for violating Covid-19 regulations. Mmakala Modise, who has failed to settle the charge, is set to appear at the Tobane Customary Court next week.

Modise invited Ocean of God Church to perform an exorcism at her yard a fortnight ago.

She wanted to be relieved of an aggressive thokolosi that took pleasure in slapping an 11-year old boy around, setting off fires and breaking windows.

In a widely publicised performance that captivated the entire nation on social media, young men clad in purple and blue capes rummaged through the yard excavating creepy looking objects in front of bemused onlookers.

The climax of the exorcism show was, however, when the charismatic church leader, Archbishop Tebogo Nsakwa, bolted out of one of the rooms clutching a live python in his hands.

The pastor went on to assure the Modise family that their nightmares of mysterious fires were over and indeed, according to the old woman, supernatural evil acts have stopped.

However, their celebrations were short-lived as police swooped in a week later and charged both Pastor Nsakwa and Modise P5,000 each for violating Covid-19 protocols.

Botshabelo Police Station Commander, Superintendent Debbie Mdabuli, confirmed the two charges in an interview with The Voice.

“Remember, we were still under State of Emergency (SOE), but there were over 50 church members and the event took more than two hours. In fact, it went on until very late in the afternoon, which was against laid down protocols,” she said.

Superintendent Mdabuli further told The Voice that they were aware of the woman’s plight as she had reported the mysterious fires to them.

The superintendent further said there was nothing sinister about Modise’s court date as it is an available option for everyone charged by police.

Speaking to The Voice, Modise confirmed that she was slapped with the P5,000 charge which she’s unable to pay.

“I don’t want to say much but I’ve been told to come to court,” was all she was prepared to say.

Archbishop Nsakwa on the other hand has paid the required P5,000 admission of guilt.

“I’m deeply hurt by the turn of events. Although I’m the first to admit that some protocols may have been flouted, under the circumstances, I was hoping for the law to be lenient,” he said.

“Both the police, District Commissioner and politicians were aware of the old woman’s predicament. We went there to set her free, and we’re now paying for it,” said Nsakwa.

The archbishop said not only did he get a visit from the police, but was also tracked down by wildlife officers.

“They wanted to know of the plight of the python. I told them that I sprinkled it with some holy water and released it into the wild. I’m well aware that I’m not supposed to keep nor kill a python,” he said.

Regional Wildlife Officer, Phemelo Gadimang, confirmed to The Voice that indeed officers went to Mmadinare to interview the archbishop.
He said the pastor took the officers 6km into the bush and showed them where he released the snake.

“A python is a protected species, and the pastor was warned that next time when he finds an animal during exorcisms, he should involve law officers who will ensure that animals are not hurt in the process,” said Gadimang.