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SNAKE INYANGA ‘DR JOHANE’ ARRESTED

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MANZINI – After allegedly living with a snake for over a decade and using it when healing people, the traditional healer, Thembinkosi Simelane, has been arrested. 

Popularly known as ‘Dr Johane’ (40) of KoNtshingila, Simelane was on Monday arrested by police officers based at Matsapha Police Station. The traditional healer spent the night in the holding cells of the police station after he was charged for contravening the Game Act of 1991 as amended by Act 12 of 1993. 

Charge

According to the charge sheet, on Monday at or near Matsapha, ‘Dr Johane’ was allegedly found in the illegal possession of eight substances and or portions of wildlife. The eight substances or portions of wildlife included a live albino python snake, emafutsa enhlatfu (python fat), emafutsa esitfokati semvubu (fat of a hippopotamus’ calf), ematfutsa elivondvo (cane rate fat), sidladla sesambane (aadvark hand), inhloko (head) yeliza, inhloko yenkwazi (fish eagle head) and imbabala (bushbuck) horn, thus contravening the said Act. During his brief appearance before Magistrate Lucia Lukhele yesterday, ‘Dr Johane’ was calm and constantly smiling inside a packed courtroom as many people were keen to see the man who lived with a snake.

As the court engaged on the albino python that was found in his possession, the judicial officer enquired from the prosecutor if the snake was within the vicinity of the Matsapha Circuit Court. 

The circuit court is located within the Matsapha Police Station where Simelane was detained on Monday night. Following the enquiry by the magistrate on where the snake was kept, Detective Cyprian Mbhamali said the snake had been taken to Mlilwane Game Reserve on Monday when Simelane was arrested, but had been brought to court yesterday. 

He informed the court that they had requested game rangers to bring it in order for the court to see it or capture it through still pictures if need be.

Meanwhile, when the law enforcer informed the court that the snake was within the building, a majority of the people present were seen looking towards where a number of exhibits were kept.

While this was happening, Magistrate Lukhele was heard asking: “Where is it?”This drew laughter from those present; thereafter, the prosecutor informed the judicial officer that game rangers from Mlilwane Game Reserve were present and would assist the court in describing it. 

Subsequent to that, a game ranger, Mduduzi Dlamini, educated the court that the snake was not dangerous as it only showed anger when it wanted food. 

Transport

He said it would be possible for them to transport it to the court room whenever it was needed as evidence. An alternative that was presented by the game ranger was that the court could take pictures of the snake.

Thereafter, the judicial officer requested to see the snake, which was kept in a cage, in one of the offices. As she left the courtroom, she was followed by over 20 people who included police officers, journalists and other members of the public who were within the police station.

The traditional healer applied for bail, which the prosecution did not oppose. Therefore, the court granted him E6 000 bail, which he paid. 

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