Residents thought a snake was crying from the river until a woman moved closer

They thought a mysterious creature was lurking in the Blesbok River until one brave woman stepped closer and discovered a man desperately fighting for his life.

It was shortly before 7am on Sunday, 4 October, when a passer-by heard chilling cries for help coming from the thick reeds of the notorious Blesbok River in Springs, Ekurhuleni.

Gardener Themba Pekwa was on his way to attend to customers in Bakerton when he heard what appeared to be a man screaming for assistance from inside the reeds.

He immediately stopped and raised the alarm, but frightened residents were reluctant to approach the river.

Some reportedly believed the cries could have come from the mythical Mamlambo — a legendary snake-like creature which, according to local folklore, can take human form and lure people into the water.

“I called people to come and 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,” Pekwa said.

Themba Pekwa walking on the same bridge the man jumped from to get into the river to avoid tsotsis.

But there was no mythical creature waiting in the reeds.

Instead, a man had been trapped in the freezing mud since the previous night after reportedly jumping into the river to escape suspected robbers who had allegedly attempted to hold him up on a bridge.

The man had remained in the water for hours, with the cold and muddy conditions leaving him increasingly weak.

According to Pekwa, it was only after a woman bravely moved closer to the river that residents realised the cries were coming from a person.

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

Police and Ekurhuleni Emergency Services were summoned to the scene. However, the dangerous conditions reportedly made the rescue extremely difficult, with the man remaining stranded in water that had risen to his chest.

Resident Daniel Ledwaba expressed frustration over the prolonged rescue effort.

“The police and firefighters were unwilling to endanger their lives. The man was crying for help. He was drowning,” he said.

With the man appearing increasingly distressed, one resident eventually decided to intervene.

He entered the murky water, reached the stranded man and managed to pull him to safety.

His actions were met with cheers from onlookers, who reportedly gave him cash in recognition of his bravery.

Paramedics subsequently transported the rescued man to hospital for treatment.

Pekwa said the incident highlighted the dangers associated with the river, where residents have long shared stories about mysterious creatures and previous wildlife sightings.

“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,” he said.

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

The circumstances surrounding the alleged attempted robbery and the man’s subsequent decision to enter the river remain subject to investigation.

https://www.snl24.com/news/mamlambo-fear-grips-kasi-as-man-flees-thugs-20261007/

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