Fearless Fred back in business

OF all ‘essential services’ required during lockdown, catching a huge black mamba at a resident’s house must rank among the most important.

Legendary snake catcher ‘Fearless’ Fred Lubbe responded to the emergency call on Saturday when a Ngwelezana homeowner reported the presence of the highly venomous reptile in a shed adjoining the house.

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He arrived to find a number of people attempting to assist in getting rid of the 1.75m-long intruder, including burning a tyre to try smoking it out.

Fortunately, nothing inside the shed had caught alight and Fred proceeded to sift through the contents packed inside the shed to find his target.

Perseverance paid off and a rattling paint tray gave away the location of the stressed and angry creature.

The mamba wasn’t going down without a fight and Fred had to draw on all his strength and experience to eventually get his tongs on the reluctant snake before gripping it behind the head, bagging it and eventually releasing it in a safe environment.

Apart from giving the homeowner a great sense of relief, the event was welcome diversion therapy for Fred, who recently suffered the loss of his wife.

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