A brave SAPS officer, who also happens to be a trained snake catcher, Captain Joanita Becker, calmly sprang into action after being notified about a highly venomous Cape Cobra spotted in Belmont SAPS Community Service.
Kimberly, South Africa (28 January 2025) – When panic and chaos broke out at the sight of a hair-raising snake that had managed to find its way to the Belmont SAPS Community Service (CSC), police officer and part-time snake catcher, Captain Joanita Becker didn’t hesitate to drop everything to lend a hand.
The love for keeping people safe and secure is the main reason why Captain Becker, a SAPS Porter pilot in the Northern Cape, trained as a registered snake catcher in Kimberley and surrounding areas.
On Sunday, 26 January, she immediately responded to the call of a highly venomous Cape Cobra spotted at the Belmont police station.
To the surprise of onlookers, Becker not only captured the elusive Cape Cobra but also discovered and safely removed a Puff Adder lurking just outside the police station, too!
According to the SAPS, it took Captain Becker 20 minutes to trace and catch the Cape Cobra while it was hiding in a filing cabinet in the police station.
Captain Becker completed her level 1 and 2 snake catchers’ course between 2019 and 2022 in Kimberley through the African Snake Bite Institute. She is trained to identify, catch and release a snake into its natural habitat. So snake enthusiasts can rest assured that no serpents were harmed (or cuffed) during the safe and swift removal.
The skilled pilot is also trained to administer first aid to snake bite victims, as both the Cape Cobra and Puff Adder are among the most venomous snakes in Africa.
Thankfully, though, no one was injured in this incident, and both snakes were safely captured and released back into their natural habitat!
Sources: South African Police Service
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