A man in Zimbabwe has asked the magistrate court to return his snake after the police arrested him for carrying a deadly Egyptian Cobra in a laptop bag.
Grey Mupinganjire maintained that he had not committed a crime, claiming to have inherited the serpent from his dead mother.
The 32 year old man was traveling in a van when traffic police stopped the car for a routine search. The security officers asked him to open his bag after they noticed some movements inside. Mupinganjire was charged for having a reptile without a permit or license under the parks and wildlife act.
The Parks and Wildlife Management Authority took possession of the snake which the accused claims to have been brought by his mother from Malawi for traditional rituals.
With venom known to kill a human within an hour, the six inch snake is estimated to be worth 60 sterling pounds.
Magistrate Elijah Makomo labelled the case as “bizarre” and ordered Mupinganjire to be medically examined. The case will be heard again on Monday.
“It is true that I was found in possession of the snake but I do not understand why it was taken away from me.” Said Grey Mupingajire and insisted that he is of sane mind.
