A sensational story claiming a pastor was devoured by crocodiles while attempting to walk on water has resurfaced online, captivating readers despite being a well-documented hoax. First circulating in 2017, fact-checkers have repeatedly debunked this fabricated tale, yet it continues to spread, highlighting the persistent challenge of misinformation in the digital era.
The viral narrative centers on Pastor Jonathan Mthethwa of the “Saint of the Last Days Church,” who supposedly attempted to replicate Jesus’s walking miracle on water. According to the story, he ventured into the so-called “Crocodile River” (with versions placing it in either Zimbabwe or South Africa) and, after wading 30 meters, was attacked by three crocodiles. The gruesome tale claims that only his sandals and underwear remained floating on the surface, witnessed by his horrified congregation. A supposed onlooker, Deacon Nkosi, reportedly said,
“We still don’t understand how this happened because he fasted and prayed the whole week,”
adding a layer of intrigue to the account.
Despite its vivid details, the story has been thoroughly disproven. Fact-checking organizations like Snopes and AFP Fact Check have found no evidence to support the incident. ER24, the emergency medical service cited in the story, confirmed through spokesperson Russell Meiring that they have no record of responding to such an event in 2017 or any other time.
Further dismantling the tale, an image often paired with the story—purportedly showing crocodiles—was revealed to be a cropped photograph of hippos from a 2012 kayaking trip in South Africa’s iSimangaliso Wetland Park, uncovered via reverse image search by AFP.
Local expertise also contradicts the narrative. Jeremy Wostenholm, owner of Seronera Crocodile Farm near the alleged site, told AFP he had never heard of such an incident. He emphasized that the Crocodile River outside Kruger National Park is not known for crocodile infestations. Additionally, the regional newspaper Lowvelder found no record of the event, further solidifying its status as fiction.
This hoax fits into a broader trend of fabricated stories exploiting religious themes, often depicting faith leaders in dramatic or ironic predicaments. Similar tales date back to at least 1993, with earlier versions reported in British tabloids by 2006 claiming pastors drowned while attempting water-walking feats. The addition of crocodiles appears to be a modern twist designed to amplify shock value.
The story’s persistence underscores vulnerabilities in today’s media landscape. Initially propagated by tabloid sites like Zimbabwe Today, it was later amplified by mainstream outlets such as The Express, which republished it without verification. Specific details—like names, locations, and quotes—lend it an illusion of authenticity, while its compelling narrative fuels shares across social platforms.
Even recently, as recently as February 2025, some publications have presented it as fact despite its debunking years earlier, revealing a lack of rigorous fact-checking in the rush to publish engaging content.
The tale of Pastor Jonathan Mthethwa being eaten by crocodiles is a confirmed fabrication, debunked repeatedly since its 2017 debut. Its continued circulation illustrates the difficulty of eradicating false narratives once they take root online. As misinformation thrives on emotional resonance and unchecked sharing, this case reinforces the vital role of fact-checking and the shared duty of media and consumers alike to prioritize truth over sensationalism.
