Religious South African sect eats grass ‘to be close to God’

A PREACHER has told his followers to eat grass to cleanse themselves and be "closer to God”.

The bizarre practice takes place at Rabboni Centre Ministries in Garankuwa, South Africa.

Pastor Lesego Daniel shares his belief that consuming the Earth will bring followers closer to God and is a sign of religious devotion.

Members of the Rabboni Centre Ministries eat grass as part of their spiritual practice in Ga-Rankuwa, South Africa. Source: Splash News Australia

Some members of the congregation have even claimed it has healed health defects — from a sore throat to a stroke.

Pastor Lesego Daniel preaching during a religious ceremony at Rabboni Centre Ministries in Ga-Rankuwa, South Africa. Source: Splash News Australia

His controversial practices have drawn outrage from many members of the South African community after photographs of people being sick in the aftermath were shared on social networks.

Followers are told eating grass will bring them closer to God. Source: Splash News Australia

Daniel, known as "the miracle man”, tells his followers that humans can consume anything to feed their bodies and can survive on anything they eat.

He also makes people sleep on demand and then asks members of the sect to trample on them and slap them.

He claims humans can eat anything to feed their bodies. Source: Splash News Australia

One believer, 21-year-old Rosemary Phetha credits Daniel with healing her after he "tued me into a sheep and instructed me to eat grass”. She had a sore throat.

"We"re proud of it because it demonstrates that, with God"s power, we can do anything,” she told The Times Live.

Doreen Kgatle, a 27-year-old stroke victim, also credited the pastor with healing her.

"I could not walk but soon after eating the grass, as the pastor had ordered, I started gaining strength and an hour later I could walk again,” she said.