Prophet of Doom to pay off R21 000 fine monthly

Limpopo's self-styled prophet Lethebo Rabalago‚ who sparked outrage on social media by spraying Doom insect killer at close range into people's faces to ‘heal’ people in his church‚ has been sentenced to an effective fine of R21 000. The Mount Zion General Assembly leader‚ who is 25‚ will pay off his fine in installments of R3 000 a month‚ his lawyer told the Mookgopong Magistrate’s Court this week, says a TimesLIVE report. Magistrate Frans Mahodi‚ handing down sentence‚ ordered Rabalago to one year in jail or a fine of R6 000 for contravening the Stock and Agricultural Remedies Act 36 of 1947‚ which deals with pest control operators. He was also sentenced to three years in jail or a R30 000 fine for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. However‚ half of the fine for assault was suspended. Rabalago said he had first introduced his Doom can at a prayer gathering in November that year. ‘It’s not a matter of inspiration. When one is inspired you are copying. It’s not a matter of inspiration. No one inspired me. I just believe in God for anything. We can use anything that you believe to heal people. In the book of Genesis the spirit of God was hovering over the water. (Therefore) everything here on Earth belongs to God. Petrol belongs to God. Doom belongs to God. Some people came with injuries but we sprayed them and they were healed.’ In March 2017‚ the Limpopo High Court ordered the ‘Prophet of Doom’ to stop using the insecticide on his congregants or on any member of the public. He was also ordered to pay the costs of the application.