Bank snakes: Man gets(ss) bail
2004-02-02 18:22
Johannesburg - Abel Manamela, who it is claimed released a number of snakes in a Johannesburg bank last week, was granted R5 000 bail in the magistrate's court on Monday.
Superintendent Chris Wilken of Johannesburg police said Manamela, 52, had been charged with attempted murder.
His appearance was a sequel to a drama on Thursday when a man walked into the head office of Absa bank and released a number of puff adders in the reception area.
A contract manager for Absa's cleaning company, who tried to contain the snakes was bitten on the finger.
He underwent surgery shortly after the incident.
Puff adders are rated as "extremely venomous", and a bite can cause death.
Wilken said Manamela had been arrested at his house in Hebron near Soshanguve, west of Pretoria, and appeared in court in Johannesburg on Monday charged with attempted murder.
A court official said late on Monday afternoon that Manamela had not yet paid bail and was being kept in custody.
The case was postponed to February 24.
Absa spokesman Errol Smith said: "We have noted the decision of the court to grant bail and we abide by the decision of the court.
"However, one of the conditions of bail is that he does not approach any Absa branch or its head office. Nonetheless, we have heightened security at all our branches," he said.
- SAPA