Family Accused of Witchcraft After Python Vanishes from Roof

SOUTH AFRICA- A family in Hospital View, Thembisa, Ekurhuleni, is living in fear after being accused of witchcraft by local residents. The accusations began when a large South African python was spotted on their roof, causing alarm in the neighbourhood.

The python is said to appear each evening around 7 PM and then disappear. A 29-year-old man, who wished to remain anonymous, told the ‘Daily Sun’ that he first saw the snake two weeks ago while stepping outside for fresh air. “I was standing outside when I felt a chill. When I looked up, I saw a huge snake. I was really scared,” he recounted.

The man attempted to scare the snake away and called for his neighbours, but no one was nearby. As he called out, he heard a strange noise and noticed a wheelbarrow tipping over behind the house. “I thought the snake must be leaving,” he said.

To their surprise, the snake reappeared over the weekend on Saturday, December 7, while no one was home. Neighbours spotted the snake and informed the family. “My mom was called and told there was a huge snake in our yard,” he added.

The young man expressed frustration over the witchcraft accusations, stating, “We’ve lived here for a long time. My mom will be 60 next year. Why would she start practicing witchcraft at her age?” He also mentioned that some locals accused him of using the snake for ‘ukuthwala’, a traditional form of abduction.

The homeowner declined to comment, fearing for her safety due to the community’s claims. Snake-catchers visited the family but were unable to locate the python.

A representative from Centurion snake-catchers warned that while the snake is not venomous, it could eat small animals like dogs when hungry.