Pastor along with his wife and son appears in court for cutting off Dumsaniʼs hands

A pastor faces allegations of severing a man’s hands over claims he stole scrap metal and electrical wires from a church.

Victim Dumisani Mahlangu expressed his deep resentment towards the clergyman, vowing never to forgive him following the harrowing incident in KwaGuqa, a township near the industrial hub of Emalahleni, South Africa.

The 30-year-old was allegedly caught stealing from the local Christian ministry Soteria Ministries International back in March.

According to Sowetan Live, Pastor Solomon Mhlanga, alongside his wife Poppy and their son Enoch, faced the Emalahleni Magistrates’ Court, facing serious charges of kidnapping and attempted murder.

While the pastor and his offspring were released on bail, Poppy was let off with just a warning, reports the Daily Star.

“This thing is destroying me inside. I will never forgive him,” declared the aggrieved victim. “I have not forgiven him, I will not forgive him, and I will die having not forgiven him.”

It’s alleged that the trio, along with three other accomplices still at large, were involved in the gruesome act.

Mahlangu claims he was bundled into the back of the pastor’s van and taken to an isolated spot where he claims, the pastor brutally amputated his hands.

Mpumezo Gawe, 24, who lives a few houses from the church, said a lot of people were suggesting that the church be torched in retaliation.

“What he did was not good, he should not have taken matters into his own hands. Some people were suggesting the church be torched, but some said he [Dumisani] deserved it,” he said.

An individual, who wished to remain anonymous, accused the pastor of having a violent streak. He alleged that a man was attacked by church members following a supposed theft.

“They pointed at him with a gun while assaulting him, stripped him naked and tied him to a pole,” he said.

“He was beaten up from daylight until sunset. They also smashed his fingers with a hammer. They also threatened to cut off his fingers and drove away with him.”

In his defence in May, the pastor stated: “This whole thing has been traumatising to my family, the community also wanted to burn the church.” The case was adjourned until August 5 for a regional court hearing.