A family in Hospital View, Thembisa, Ekurhuleni, is living in fear after being accused of witchcraft by some residents following the mysterious appearance of a large South African python on their roof. The serpent, which appears every evening around 7pm, has left the community in a state of unease, with locals suspecting that the family might be involved in dark practices. The situation escalated after the snake was spotted again on December 7, prompting even greater suspicion and worry among the neighbours.
The first encounter with the snake occurred about two weeks ago when a 29-year-old man, who asked to remain anonymous, stepped outside his house for a bit of fresh air. As he stood outside, he began to feel an inexplicable chill before looking up to see a large snake on the roof. His initial reaction was one of terror, and he tried to scare the snake away. However, when he sought help from his neighbours, the street was empty. He then heard a strange sound, which he assumed was the snake leaving, but the creature resurfaced a few days later, reigniting the fear among the family and their community.
When the snake made a reappearance on Saturday, December 7, while the family was away, it was once again seen by local residents, who immediately alerted the family. The 29-year-old man explained how his mother, soon to turn 60, was contacted by the neighbours, informing her of the unsettling presence of the large snake in their yard. The accusations quickly followed, with some claiming that the family had summoned the serpent as part of witchcraft practices. The man, frustrated by these unfounded allegations, questioned why his mother, at her age, would suddenly begin practicing such things after living peacefully in the area for years.
The accusations grew more intense, with some suggesting that the snake was linked to the traditional practice of ukuthwala, where spirits or animals are believed to be used for ritualistic purposes. However, the young man, who is currently job-hunting and struggling financially, dismissed these claims. “If I were involved in something like that, I would be rich by now,” he said, pointing out the absurdity of such accusations considering his lack of wealth. Despite their attempts to explain the situation, the family is now living in fear, with the community’s hostility only intensifying.
The tension reached a peak when snake-catchers were called to assist in capturing the python. Despite their efforts, they were unable to locate the snake, which had seemingly disappeared again. A representative from a Centurion snake-catching service explained that while the South African python is not venomous, it is still a formidable predator capable of attacking small animals, including dogs, when hungry. The snake, a protected species, must not be killed, and the snake-catchers emphasized the importance of monitoring its movements carefully until they can safely remove it from the area.
The family has expressed deep concerns for their safety, not only due to the fear of the snake but also because of the escalating accusations that have put them at odds with their neighbours. The homeowner, who did not wish to speak to the press, is terrified of the community’s growing hostility and the impact of these accusations on her family’s well-being. As the mystery of the snake continues to unravel, the family is left to navigate the unsettling intersection of superstition, fear, and an animal that has unwittingly become the center of a volatile situation.
