The Limpopo health department has obtained a court interdict ordering the controversial "Prophet of Doom" and his church members to refrain from spraying people with the insecticide.

Lethebo Detective Rabalago, 24, and his Mount Zion General Assembly church are listed as respondents in a recent Limpopo High Court application made by the provincial health department.

This is after pictures of Rabalago - who styles himself as a prophet - performing "healing miracles" using the insecticide can in Mookgophong went viral on social media last month.

According to the court papers which Sowetan has seen, Rabalago has been ordered to appear before the court on January 20 to give reasons why the interim interdict should not be made final.

The order obtained on November 25 states that Rabalago and his congregants should refrain from spraying, applying or feeding people his chosen insecticide or any harmful substance.

A founding affidavit by a medical doctor in the department urges the court to intervene by warning of health complications as a result of such practices.

"The applicant harbours fear that at any moment the respondent may expose an innocent child brought to his tent crusade for healing to Doom insecticide which may result in killing the child," it states.

The department further cited various media reports where Rabalago is seen using the toxic spray on people, adding that even Tiger Brands, the company which manufactures the product, had warned against using the insect killer on people.

"This social media report about the pastor employing Doom insecticide has sparked a frenzy where people are seen using the product to spray their wallets."

The department also hinges its case on the constitution and other legislation which declare that it is the duty of health practitioners to protect members of the public.

Departmental spokesman Derrick Kganyago said Rabalago had been served with papers on Tuesday. Kganyago said he would now have to come before the court and show that his practices were not placing people's lives at risk.

Yesterday, Rabalago, who has maintained that his actions are inspired by the spirit of God, claimed he was not aware of the interdict.

"Tell those people to give you answers. I'm having problems with you media people spreading lies and asking me questions about things I don't know. Would you do me a favour and stop calling me please," said Rabalago.

Some of his followers who claim they were healed through his prayers have come out to defend him publicly, saying he was being unfairly targeted.

At the weekend Rabalago was seen in another video footage spraying Doom into his mouth and into the mouths of churchgoers despite mounting public disapproval.

Rabalago also put up a poster on Facebook showing the back of his jacket with bruises similar to those portraying Christ's crucifixion.

The poster had the words: "Let no man trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus."

SA Human Rights Commission provincial manager Victor Mavhidula said they were also investigating to ascertain if human rights violations had occurred.

Kganyago said the department was still looking into the possibility of obtaining a court order for Rabalago to undergo psychiatric observation.

mahopoz@sowetan.co.za