The presiding Judge in the case of the so-called ‘Doom’ pastor, George Phatudi, earlier today (Monday) extended his ruling first made on 20 November last year that Lethebo Rabalago, a pastor of the Mount Zion Christian Assembly in Zebediela, may not spray any congregant or visitor to his church with the insecticide Doom or use any form of harmful substance or administer orally any harmful liquid or give instructions that such an act must be performed.
The Department of Health asked for an interdict against Rabalago last year.
Phatudi said he did not make a judgment in this first-of-its-kind court case and will reserve the full text of his order to be delivered in due course. The respondent was ordered to pay all costs.
After the applicant and the respondent’s legal representatives had argued their cases Phatudi said both argued quite persuasively for their clients. He said it was a unique case with new facts in the law and democracy and he has to apply his mind carefully on the novelty of the matter.
“The public is looking for outcomes and a judgment will have far-reaching consequences and set a precedent for the entire country,” he said. “It is one of those matters that has drawn huge public interest.”
The arguments about state and law and religion and faith had Phatudi asking questions which both counsels digging deep for answers to substantiate their arguments, and also made those who attended the case think deeply about beliefs and believing, psychological healing and the law, as discussions after the case were evidence of.
Story: NELIE ERASMUS
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