Page 3 - 14 March 2025

THE REPORTER 14 MARCH 2025 · PAGE 3

He said the risk, especially in witnessed a person dying
the Northern Western Cape, from a boomslang bite “and
t h e N o r t h e r n C a p e , it was excruciating”.
Limpopo, Botswana and Steve Meighan from Deep
Namibia of fatal thicktail South Reptile Rescue said it
scorpion stings were sky- could not be overstated how
high. much trouble the country
“Children and the elderly are was in. “And even if they start
especially at high risk. And working today it will still take
there is nothing you can months before they are
import for this scorpion producing anti-venom,” he
sting, he said. Naudé said it said.
didn't help for the NHLS to “I have been involved with
declare that it still had snakes since 1991 and this is
boomslang venom. “First, the first time that this has
what does it help to have happened. He said in two NHLS in the parliamentary hospitals and what is being now forced to import anti-venom. Without urgent
boomslang anti-venom? committee on health about done to address them. The substandard alternatives. access to treatment, severe
These bites are so rare. You recent cases, snakebite the anti-venom crisis.
almost have to apply in victims had to be treated crisis is reportedly due to This places thousands of complications or death can
writing to get a bite,” he said. with products from a vet. “We will demand clarity on l o a d s h e d d i n g a n d lives at risk, especially in rural occur,” she said.
He said the anti-venom Michele Clarke from the how much anti-venom has renovations at the South communities. “South Africa “A single snakebite can kill
b e e n p r o d u c e d a n d
African Vaccine Producers
records approximately 4,000
could offer some solace, Democratic Alliance said the (SAVP). Reports indicate that snake-bites annually, with within hours — without
though, because he had party would question the distributed since 2023. The access to anti-venom, lives
NHLS must also account for South Africa, once an around 900 hospitalisations and limbs are being lost
Advice from Nick Evans reported shortages in exporter of anti-venom, is and 100 patients requiring unnecessarily.”
- Snake Rescuer and

expert in KZN
I'm sure by now many of you example, for rodent control.
have seen the news that the Obviously if it's a snake you
production of anti-venom don't want around, like a
has come to a halt. This is cobra or mamba, we will
obviously the last thing take it away. Please phone
S o u t h A f r i c a n e e d s , IMMEDIATELY and please
especially as we've had WATCH the snake from a
shortages for a while. From distance until the remover
what I gather, it is due to arrives. If it is in a room,
complete mismanagement, close the door and close the
which isn't surprising. windows from the outside, PUBLIC NOTICE No: 16/2025
Here are some snake safety trapping the snake.
tips, keeping you and your (Ed - I am not sure if there Approval of the Ukuphunyezwa kohlahlo
pets safe. are any “removers” in this
Firstly, remember a snake is area. If there are please send Adjustment Budget, lwabiwo-mali,
an animal, not an evil your details so that we can
creature, seeking out publish them.) Reviewed IDP, Reviewed umgaqonkqubo
humans to kill. It's focus is on PLEASE GET YOUR wophuhliso, kwakunye
finding food, shelter, and DOGS AWAY SDBIP and Performance
breeding (at certain times of If your dog is attacking a nehlelo lokuvavanya
the year). snake, please do not film it. Agreements for the
DO NOT KILL SNAKES We see videos of this 2024/25 Financial Year ukumiliswelwa
Killing a snake particularly frequently. It's infuriating, kweenkonzo kunyaka-mali
large ones such as mambas especially if the owner is _______________
and cobras, is extremely shocked that the dog dies. ka we-2024/25
dangerous. You are inflicting Dogs will usually attack and OTICE IS GIVEN in terms of of _______________
pain upon an animal that kill large snakes in the NSection 54(1)(c) of the Municipal
wants to escape, or for you to property, to defend their Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act 56 of SAZISO SINIKEZELWA ngokwesigaba
back off. Hurting it will of home and family. If you see 2003) that the Council of the Joe Gqabi
course cause it to want to your dog going for a snake, I54 (1) (c) somthetho wolawulo lwemali
defend itself. scream at it, throw your shoe District Municipality has approved an yoomasipala we 56 ka 2003 ukuba
at it, glass of water,
I have a number of records of Adjustment Budget, reviewed Service isigqeba sebhunga likamasipala we Joe
where people have been hosepipe, whatever. You're Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan Gqabi liphumeze uhlaziyo lohlahlo
bitten by Black Mambas, or not going to injure your dog
spat in the eyes by cobras, by doing that, but you will kill (SDBIP) and performance agreements of l w a b i w o - m a l i , u m g a q o n k q u b o
trying to kill them. your dog if you leave it . senior managers for the 2024/25 financial w o p h u h l i s o , k w a k u n y e n e h l e l o
If you encounter a snake in
DO NOT TRY TO CATCH year. Council also approved the review of lokuvavanya ukumiliswelwa kweenkonzo
SNAKES your property before your
dog does, please lock your the IDP to be in line with the reviewed SDBIP. eziya ebantwini kunyaka-mali ka 2024/25.
Some people will, often out dog away. If a dog is bitten,
of kindness, pick up a rush it to your nearest vet. Copies of the approved reviewed Ikopi zalamaxhwebhu ziyafumaneka
harmless-looking snake, documents are available for scrutiny during ngexesha le-ofisi kuMasipala weSithili
and move it into the bush. Or IF BITTEN BY A SNAKE office hours at the Joe Gqabi District
they'll try capture a snake Do not try any sort of home saseJoe Gqabi, uNombolo F69,
they know is venomous, with remedies. Get straight to Municipal Office, No. F69, 1st Floor, Corner umgangatho wokuqala, iCorner Cole
good intentions (to relocate hospital. The hospital you're Cole and Graham Streets, Barkly East, as kunye neGraham Streets, Barkly East,
it). A snake has no idea planning to go to should be well as on the District's website:
whether you are trying to kill called first, just in case they k u n y e n a k w i z i k o l e S i t h i l i :
it or help it. They instinctively refer you to another. If you www.jgdm.gov.za www.jgdm.gov.za.
fear humans. That includes can get a photo of the snake For further enquiries, please contact Mr. T.
us snake removers. that bit you, great, send it to Ingcaciso ethe vetshe iyafumaneka kuMnu
PLEASE PHONE A a snake remover. If it gets Phintshane on 045-979 3037 during office T. Phintshane ngo-045-979 3037 ngexesha
PROFESSIONAL away and it is not identified, hours. le-ofisi.
Either to remove the snake, you won't die. Doctors treat
or to identify it. If it's you symptomatically and MR M.P. NONJOLA MR M.P. NONJOLA
harmless in the garden, the can keep you alive. MUNICIPAL MANAGER MUNICIPAL MANAGER
snake remover may recom- Nick Evans 072 809 5806
mend leaving it there. For nickevanskzn@gmail.com