Absa snakes 'a publicity stunt'
2005-05-18 12:50
Johannesburg - The man accused of releasing snakes at a Johannesburg bank last year agreed with the prosecutor on Wednesday that the incident had been a publicity stunt.
Abel Manamela, 53, told magistrate Lucas van der Schyff at the Johannesburg magistrate's court that he wanted to draw attention to himself and Absa bank who had "cheated" him.
"Yes, it was a publicity stunt. I wanted to expose Absa because I had been speaking to them for the past seven years and my matter could not be resolved," said Manamela.
Manamela released five puff-adders on the premises of Absa Towers on January 29 last year after a dispute with a manager regarding his loan payments and the repossession of his vehicle.
Amid attempts to catch the reptiles, a contract manager for Absa's cleaning company, Prestige, was bitten on his finger and had to undergo surgery.
Manamela is charged with two counts of attempted murder. He has pleaded not guilty.
The State on Wednesday requested the magistrate to convict Manamela as charged.
- SAPA