‘Mamlambo’ fear grips kasi as man flees thugs

Share current article via FacebookShare current article via PinterestShare current article via WhatsAppShare current article via TwitterShare current article via LinkedInNews‘Mamlambo’ fear grips kasi as man flees thugsBy: Ntebatse Masipa • 2h agoAdd as a preferred source on GoogleFollow on Google NewsListen to this article-00:00lead-art-block.fullscreen-enterExpandThemba Pekwa walking on the same bridge the man jumped from to get into the river to avoid tsotsis. (Ntebatse Masipa/Daily Sun) Bystanders scared before realising a man was trappedIT was before 7am when a passersby heard chilling cries for help coming from the dreaded Blesbok River in Springs, Ekurhuleni.

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Gardener, Themba Pekwa was on his way to attend to his customers in Bakerton when he heard a helpless man scream from inside the thick reeds on Sunday, 4 October.

He stopped dead in his tracks, but when he raised the alarm, spooked residents were too terrified to go near the water.

“I called people to come help, but they were afraid. Some thought he was a river snake that had transformed itself into a human being. You know the old folks’ stories,” said Themba.

Terrified onlookers believed the mysterious creature was the legendary Mamlambo, the mythical snake believed to shape-shift into a human to lure victims to their watery deaths.

But there was no magic involved, only pure terror.

The helpless victim had been stuck in the freezing mud since Saturday night, 3 October.

He had jumped into the snake-infested river to escape ruthless tsotsis who tried to rob him on the bridge.

Themba said it was only after one brave woman stepped closer that people realised it was a human being fighting for his life.

“She called residents and soon a crowd gathered,” said Themba.

Cops and Ekurhuleni Emergency Services were called to the scene. But nervous rescue workers refused to dive into the dangerous water, leaving the freezing man stranded with water up to his chest until past 1pm on Sunday.

“The police and firefighters unwilling to endanger their lives. The man was crying for help. He was drowning,” said furious resident, Daniel Ledwaba.

Seeing the man on the verge of death, one fearless resident took matters into his own hands. He braved the murky water, plunged into the river and dragged the shivering man to safety.

Grateful onlookers cheered and showered the local hero with cash for his bravery.

Paramedics rushed the victim to hospital.

If it wasn’t for him, that man could have died. We think his ancestors protected him. That river is dangerous. Three years ago, a small crocodile was captured there.

Ekurhuleni district police spokeswoman Captain Nelda Sekgobela confirmed that cops attended the scene.

Ntebatse Masipa is a journalist at Daily Sun, specializing in crime, education, health, service delivery stories and human-interest stories.

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