SANGOMA Solly “Gogo Mahlasela” Mathebula has cautioned pastors and izangoma to stop using people as sacrifices to get rich.
He said he was touched by the drownings at the Jukskei River near Alexandra on Saturday, 3 December.
It’s alleged 33 churchgoers were taken to the river for a baptism where they were swept away by water and 17 people died.
Families of the deceased said the pastor, who was leading the ritual and survived, has not contacted them.
“That should raise concerns,” said Mathebula.
“I blame the pastor. Spiritual leaders know they need to fast and get permission seven or 14 days before going to the river,” he said.
“The owner of the river (river snake) will let us know through a dream if we are allowed or not.
“If we don’t do that, such tragedies happen.”
He said people need to fast for at least seven days.
He said the owner of the river might be about to give birth and is busy cleaning the river.
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“If they go without permission, the owner will use their blood to clean it,” he said.
Mathebula said the owner of the river is what other people call a river snake.
He said the fact that kids were also swept away makes him believe the pastor was doing an evil ritual.and using the people as sacrifices.
“The owner of the river will not harm children and would push the children to the side,” he said.
“The families must find him and make him tell them what he did with their loved ones.”
Mathebula also said the Jukskei River was dirty from all the rituals and December is time for the river to be cleaned.
Prophet Lucky Maake said water belongs to God and amadlozi but prophets go there for money and sacrifices.
“Before we take people there we need to first pray and if your ancestor or God tells you it is dirty you should not go to the river. You should fetch the water and bath those people in a bath tub,” he said.
He said if the pastor knows why he took those people there and had things done accordingly no one would have died.
Joburg Emergency Medical Services’ Robert Mulaudzi said: “We communicated with the pastor on Saturday and Sunday but since then, we’re unable to get hold of him.”
He said the search for the three missing people is still on. Tumelo Masola, who lost her mum Lizzy Masola (60) and her daughter Kgothatso Masola (19), said they have identified the bodies at the Hillbrow Mortuary.“We are relieved that we got their bodies but sad that they are gone,” she said
