Absa snake man sentenced
2005-08-26 15:00
Johannesburg - The Johannesburg magistrate's court sentenced the man convicted for releasing venomous snakes inside Johannesburg's Absa Towers to three years imprisonment on Friday, SABC radio news reported.
Two years of the sentence imposed on Abel Manamela have been suspended for five years.
Magistrate Lucas van Schaff says the sentence should serve as a lesson to people thinking of committing similar crimes.
Manamela immediately launched an appeal after the sentencing and has been advised to get a lawyer for this process.
A cleaning company employee was bitten on the finger when Manamela released five puff adders in the bank last January at the height of a dispute with the bank about a repossessed vehicle.
- SAPA