Mamba drama at children’s hospice

Butterfly Palliative Home in Ingwavuma had an unexpected visitor on Monday morning when a 2.4m black mamba poked its head out from above the office desk – which is also the centre’s crèche.

One can imagine social worker Nokwazi Ndlazi’s shock when she looked up, fearing for the safety of the 12 terminally ill children in their care.

The home – which is the only dedicated children’s hospice in KZN providing end-of-life care to orphaned and abandoned children – is no stranger to these types of visitors.

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It is located in an area known as Snake Valley, famous for serpents and exceedingly far from medical care in the event of snake bites.

Usually, founders Tarryn and Dr Christoff Bell would catch the snake, as Dr Bell is passionate about snakebite management at Ngwelezana Hospital.

Together with his wife, he has caught snakes as long as 2.6m.

However, with the pair away on leave in Cape Town, help was needed – fast.

The office was out of bounds to staff while office manager Belinda Milner contacted Donald Schultz, founder of Snake Pharm in Hluhluwe, with a photograph of the hole in the ceiling and an urgent plea.

“I am always reluctant to go on snake call-outs without a positive identification, much less so when it’s more than two hours away, but this one seemed special,” said Schultz.

“Nothing screams Monday morning blues like a hole allegedly with a huge black mamba in it, that’s 200km away!”

Schultz made the two-hour trip with German police officer and snake enthusiast Gert Wagenbach, who offered to help.

The mamba catch
Once they arrived, the mamba was easily found and caught after some mild demolition of the ceiling. It was victoriously carted off to chants of nkosiami! (My Lord) by the relieved staff.

“This was the closest I’ve ever come to death – closer than any shoot-out or fight with criminals in over 37 years on duty as a dog handler!” exclaimed Wagenbach.

Tarryn Bell thanked Schultz for safely catching the gravid female black mamba.

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“This mama snake has been safely taken to Snake Pharm where she can have her babies and contribute to the manufacturing of life-saving antivenom,” said Bell.

Schultz is revolutionising antivenom production through a method that produces elixir in just one hour, addressing the critical shortage in sub-Saharan Africa by making treatment more accessible and affordable.

As April marks the beginning of mamba season, Schultz reminds the community: “When encountering a snake, do not engage.

Contact local authorities or snake experts and if it’s safe, try to get a clear photo to help with identification.”

For snake emergencies in Empangeni/Richards Bay contact Peter ‘Daring’ Daniel on 076 0516420 or ‘Fearless’ Fred Lubbe on
066 2433377.

For Hluhluwe, call Donald Schultz on 064 2082465.

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