By Genevieve Serra
A Strandfontein ouma is counting her blessings after spotting a giftige Cape Cobra slithering through her home before it disappeared into her couch.
The 81-year-old vrou, who asked not to be named, said she was sorting through documents on her couch on Monday, 31 March, when she caught sight of the movement under the table.
She says: “I looked again and that is when I saw the snake.”
She immediately called for help, and her family rushed in to contain the situation.
Her grandson, a trained snake handler, was called to assist.
The ouma adds: “The snake moved behind the couch, and we made sure to block it from other areas. We had to tip the couch over to find it."
The Cape cobra was eventually retrieved and placed in a secure container before being released into a bushy area near the beachfront, in line with handling regulations.
The grateful lady says: “No one was bitten, thank God."
She said she hoped the incident would create awareness for the public in the area.
This is the second time a Cape Cobra was found on premises.
Three years ago the family was also left reeling when a massive two-metre Cobra found its way inside their backyard and was also removed safely by a snake handler who released it at a beach.
Since the incident, the woman has since acquired a cat on her premises.
Just over a week ago, IOL reported how a woman from Paarl survived a similar ordeal inside her home after a Cape Cobra was found in her bed moments before she wanted to take a nap.
The woman fondly known as “Tannie,” called in the services of Eduanne Niemand, the founder of Boland Snake Removals 24/7 and Pest Control.
The woman was preparing to take a nap and when she opened her duvet, she found the snake nestled on her bed.
