The Manica Post

Snake with goat head?

- Ray Bande Senior Reporter

A THREE-METRE long snake which was said to have a goat’s head was allegedly killed recently at a homestead in Chakohwa area under Chief Mutambara’s area and has sent tongues wagging.

The alleged incident has caused a stir on social media since last week, although 69-year-old Lazarus Mkundu has vehemently denied that such a snake was killed at his homestead.

Chenjerai Gonzo, Chief Mutambara’s aide, confirmed receiving reports of the incident and said they are seized with investigat­ions.

“We have received reports of a case of a big snake with a goat’s head which is said to have been killed in Headman Musweweshi­ri’s area of Chakohwa. It is said the snake was about three metres long. We do not know the actual type of the snake which looked like a black mamba (rovambira), but this one was said to have the head of a goat.

“We are in the midst of investigat­ing the matter,” he said.

Musweweshi­ri village head, Onan William Mudoro said he also received the same report and said he will visit the Mkundu homestead to get to the bottom of the issue.

However, Mkundu vehemently denied the allegation­s.

“The snake was killed in my absence. However, the snake that was killed here and the one circulatin­g on social media are two different creatures. We have stayed here for a long time and never knew we were sharing our homestead with a snake.

“When my new daughter-in-law came, we had to find a room for her. They had to clean the room where the snake was found. Apparently, there are people who used to stay in that room who were working on the local water systems, but for the long period they spent staying here sleeping in that room, they never saw that snake.

“It is normal that you could live with a snake in a house without discoverin­g it. But the narrative that the snake had a goat’s head is shocking. It is really sad to have visitors coming here asking about a snake with a goat’s head. I have never touched any juju in my life. My hands are clean,” he said.

His wife, Tsarai Mkundu, confirmed that a snake was killed at her homestead, but said she was shocked to learn that the issue had been doctored.

“I was here when a snake was killed last week. I even sought assistance from local children to kill it. After killing that snake we placed it a few metres out of our yard since I wanted to show my husband upon his return. After seeing it, he took it and threw it in the toilet.

“It is surprising to see how people have twisted the whole issue,” she said.

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