AFRICA : TANZANIA : SNAKE DISRUPTS CHURCH SERVICE

ALL AFRICA REPORT: By Anorld Swai, 7 February 2012
Hai — A huge snake emerged at the high table in a church during special fund-raising service in Hai District on Sunday, leading to commotion and stampede as hundreds of worshippers scrambled for their way out.
The incident occurred at Sanya-Juu Parish of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT) in Kilingi Ward, where the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office (Regional Administration and Local Government), Mr Aggrey Mwanri, was the chief guest.
The "uninvited guest" emerged in the church as Bishop Martin Shao of ELCT Northern Diocese was delivering a sermon shortly before the laying of the foundation stone of one of the buildings at the parish.
The Deputy Minister, who is also Hai legislator, was accompanied by his wife and both were seated at the high table where the serpent appeared, making worshippers to take to their heels.
Several people sustained minor bruises while struggling to get out of the church.
A few worshippers who managed to gather courage threw chairs, stones and other items at the snake. It, however, disappeared into the nearby bush.
Mr Mwanri said he was surprised that the snake which it is believed entered from the back row, where the church door is located, managed its way unnoticed up to his table and started spitting venom.
The deputy minister was representing the Monduli Member of Parliament and former Prime Minister, Mr Edward Lowassa, who was to be the chief guest at the ceremony.
Mr Lowassa had asked to be excused as he was attending other official matters.
SOURCE: ALLAFRICA.COM

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