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Michael Magoronga Midlands Correspondent
Mbizo residents are living in fear after it emerged that some snakes at the amusement park slithered out of their confinement at Kwekwe Snake Park last week.

While the immediately affected residents are those who live in Mbizo 4 Extension, 9, 3 and 19 who live just a few metres away from the snake park, it has become a danger to visit the council-owned place which now requires major refurbishment.

Council confirmed that two pythons had escaped from the park, but unconfirmed reports have it that two mambas, a green and a black one, were missing.

Director of Works Engineer John Mhike told a full council meeting that the snakes managed to escape because their cages were no longer secure.

“I can confirm that two pythons escaped from the confinement as the place they were living in was now old. Our personnel have however managed to locate them. What is now left is that we complete refurbishments that are going on before we take the snakes back,” said Eng Mhike.

He however could not ascertain the ages of the snakes.

Mr Tapiwa Mugodhi of Mbizo 9 said they were living in fear after some municipal officials informed them that snakes had escaped from their enclosures.

“We are in fear and every day we are on the lookout for them. We are also afraid of travelling in the evening as you might not know what might befall you in the dark. Remember these snakes have been living under confinement for a long time making them vicious and dangerous,” he said.

Mrs Nokuthula Dhlamini said she was afraid that her chicken project could attract the snakes to her place of residence in Mbizo 19.

“I am afraid that these snakes may be attracted by the chickens that I keep at my homestead. We are always keeping an eye on the children.

“We stay just metres away from the snake park hence our fear,” she said.

Kwekwe Mayor Angeline Kasipo urged the Works Department to speed up the refurbishing process as people’s lives were in danger.

This is the second time that snakes have reportedly escaped from the park.

A few months back, two vicious mambas slithered from the park which has now become a no-go area for most residents as they fear being attacked.