By James Muonwa l Mashonaland West Correspondent
A CHINHOYI snake charmer was Wednesday bitten by a Puff Adder and later succumbed to its venom while admitted at a local hospital.
On Wednesday afternoon around 16:30 hours, the now deceased, Show Chedhu popularly known as ‘Mabhemba’ was bitten by a snake and later died of poisoning around 0100 hours Thursday at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital, where he had been rushed for treatment.
Known for his antics of charming snakes, mostly adders abundant in the rocky Alaska Dolomite area, Chedhu, who was in his early 40s, had reportedly found the snake near his fowl run.
Sources told NewZimbabwe.com that after Chedhu spotted the highly venomous reptile in his yard earlier that day, he took it and started parading it around Alaska Dolomite compound while fascinated inhabitants took pictures and videos of the spectacle.
In viral images posted on social media, the visibly drunk Chedhu is seen playing around with the snake, which he reportedly went on to parade at a local drinking spot, where the agitated snake struck him on the leg.
“While at a local bar, Chedhu was bitten by the snake, whose fangs remained stuck on his leg, he had to be rushed to hospital with the snake stuck there,” said a source, who requested anonymity.
The incident has left the Chinhoyi community shocked.
Chedhu, an employee at Alaska Dolomite, leaves behind a wife and an undisclosed number of children. He will be laid to rest at his rural home in Zvimba this Saturday.
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