In South Africa, a priest cut off the hands of a thief in a church
In South Africa, a church priest is on trial for catching a thief in a church and cutting off his hands with a machete. This was reported by the Daily Star.
In March, 29-year-old Dumisani Mahlanga was caught on the grounds of a church in the suburb of Emalahleni, Mpumalanga province, and accused of stealing a battery. The man claims he was attacked by «armed bandits» of six parishioners guarding the church. They started shooting at his legs and then called the temple's rector, 58-year-old Solomon Mhlanga.
The priest armed with a machete arrived in a car with his son. He ordered the vigilant worshipers and his descendant to hold Mahlanga tightly and then cut off his hands. “I begged him to leave me at least one hand. But he said that my friends should see what happens if you steal from him,” SowetanLIVE reports the words of the victim.
Mahlangu said that after this the pastor and his accomplices simply walked away, leaving him to bleed to death. However, the victim claims that he did not steal the battery, but simply tried to pass through the church territory, as he was in a hurry to meet a friend.
As a result, Solomon Mhlanga and his 20-year-old son were arrested. No other arrests have been reported in this case. The local Community Police Association noted that the drug problem in Emalahleni has been getting worse lately. Drug addicts often steal metal objects and devices to sell at junkyards.