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Oswell Moyo Chronicle Reporter
FOUR people were yesterday arrested in Bulawayo’s Nkulumane suburb after allegedly killing a python measuring about two metres. The huge snake reportedly swallowed three live chickens, instilling fear among residents.

It allegedly came from a bush between Mtshane Primary School and Nkulumane Beer Hall.

Elizabeth Mupamba said they discovered the snake when their dog started barking incessantly on Sunday.

She said police arrested her husband and three others for killing the snake.

“We were preparing to go to sleep when we heard the dog barking at around 10PM. My husband (Edward Mupamba) went outside to check but saw nothing. He heard noises emanating from the chicken run adjacent to the durawall. He went closer and to his surprise, saw that there was a snake,” she said.

Mupamba added that her husband was shocked to see a python swallowing one of their chickens.

“My husband noticed that it was inhlathu (python) when he saw it opening its mouth to swallow one of my chickens. He alerted tenants and together with my son (William Mupamba) pounded the snake to death with logs and stones,” she said.

Mupamba said they called the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and police at around 12PM but the two authorities did not turn up citing transport problems.

She said they only came yesterday morning.

When Chronicle visited the house, the python had been taken by police officers from Nkulumane Police Station.

Four people, Edward Mupamba and other men whose names could not be established, were arrested for killing the reptile.

The councillor for the area, Rodney Jele, said he was notified of the incident early yesterday morning.

He appealed to the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to conduct a search in the area, saying residents believed there were more snakes.

“I received the news early in the morning that Mupamba and his family did not sleep yesterday after discovering a python in their chicken run. We appeal to Parks and Wildlife officials to conduct a search because this was an infant python. In 2012 there was a bigger one. We are now living in fear,” he said.

Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spoke person Caroline Washayamoyo could not be reached for comment as her phone rang without being answered.

Some Emakhandeni residents also face arrest after they killed a stray monkey last month.