Police and villagers capture 8 pythons

POLICE and villagers in Mhondoro last week teamed up to capture eight pythons near Mubayira police station that had been feeding on goats and chickens in the area for the past few months. A villager was also caught in the crossfire and accused by fellow villagers of practising witchcraft because he captured two of the snakes with bare hands.

Mashonaland West provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara and Parks and Wildlife Management Authority public relations manager, Mrs Caroline Washaya Moyo, confirmed the incident. Ms Washayamoyo said the snakes have since been handed over to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife.

“Yes, its true the snakes were found near the homestead of a local councillor (name supplied) basking in the sun since it is cold. We believe they were from a nearby national park, Ngezi and the matter is now under control since we have captured them,” she said.

She said last year their department had captured about 100 snakes released from different parks countrywide. According to police, the pythons were first seen on Thursday last week at the doorstep of the councillor by his wife who was coming from her maize field. On seeing the pythons, the councillor’s wife screamed for help and alerted neighbours and police officers at Mubayira police camp for help.

After several minutes, the group of villagers and police officers arrived at the councillor’s homestead and only saw two pythons, while the rest had sought refuge at an anthill, a few metres away from the doorstep. An elderly man, Mr Philip Chikatidza, managed to capture the two snakes using a sack and handed them to the police. Police sources said the councillor was taken to Mubayira police station for questioning and was later released.

“He was questioned to determine if he knew about the existence of the snakes since villagers had been missing their livestock and chickens in the area,” said the source. The following day (Friday), policemen and villagers went to the anthill and started burning tyres to choke the pythons. After about 30 minutes the villagers had managed to capture six other pythons, which they put in sacks.

Mubayira police later phoned national parks and wildlife officials who took the pythons to Lake Chivero for safe keeping. The pythons had killed and fed on goats and chickens belonging to Mr Constant Chivaura, Takavira Chivaura, Philip Chikatidza and Simon Tafa. Villagers said they were now living in fear. Pythons live where it is hot and wet. They make their homes in caves or in trees. Human beings usually kill pythons for their large and beautiful skins.