Snake attack was 'a warning'

2004-01-30 08:41

Katrien Smit

Johannesburg - A man who apparently released a bag of puff-adders at Absa's headquarters to get revenge, will face attempted murder charges.

The man, who was an Absa client until recently, apparently opened the box containing five puff-adders in the headquarters of Absa's foyer as a "warning," says an eye-witness.

A security guard was bitten by one of the snakes when he tried to pick it up.

Another guard contacted the emergency services and the security guard was taken to the Milpark Hospital where his condition is stable, says Malcolm Midgeley, speaking for the Johannesburg emergency services.

'We know who he is'

The man who brought the snakes to the building hasn't been arrested, but Errol Smith, speaking for Absa, says they know who he is and where to find him.

Smith says the man will face two other charges as well.

He apparently earlier threatened Absa staff members and allegedly assaulted Absa's security chief last year.

In dispute with Absa

Smith says the man is in dispute with Absa because of problems with his car financing.

Police Superintendent Chris Wilken says they are investigating a case of attempted murder.

Arno Naudé, a snake expert, says a puff-adder's poison can be deadly if a person doesn't receive medical treatment in time. The poison affects body tissues and can result in the loss of limbs.

Doctor Johan Slabbert, a plastic surgeon, says the poison didn't cause too much damage to the security guard because he was transported to the hospital quickly.

Midgeley says the five snakes have been freed at the Witwatersrand botanical gardens in Roodepoort.

- Beeld