Man held for having python
2007-11-29 20:05
Johannesburg - A Rustenburg man was arrested on Thursday in Umthatha for possession of a two-metre python, Eastern Cape police said.
Superintendent Mike Fatyela said the 39-year-old man was arrested at an Ultra City garage.
It is alleged that the man was on his way to Koffie Bay in the Eastern Cape to "heal" someone with the snake.
"Police were alerted by members of the public when they saw the man taking the snake out of a box. The snake had been kept in a wooden box," said Fatyela.
It is alleged that the man had taken the snake out of the box to give it some air after the long drive.
The man faced charges of possession of an endangered species, Fatyela said.
"The man said that the snake was his and he has ownership papers. We are still waiting to confirm the validity of the ownership papers," he said.
The snake was then taken to East London Zoo and the man would appear in the Umthatha Magistrate's Court shortly, police said.
- SAPA