Celani Sikhakhane brings you KwaZulu-Natal’s latest news.

Nongoma – A man hired to reconstruct a dam was reported to have eaten a python, claiming it was part of a ritual to protect himself from mental illness. This was revealed by a local community forum, Izwi Labantu. Norma Mbatha, who hired the man to rebuild a dam originally dug by her late father, Ben Mbatha, told Scrolla.Africa that the goal was to restore the dam to honour her father’s legacy and help the drought-stricken village. She said the incident happened last Thursday when the man and his co-worker found two pythons while excavating the site. “One python was washed away by water, and the other was caught by one of the workers,” said Mbatha. “But then the other man ran away, while the one who stayed behind told the community he ate the python as part of a ritual. He even said he slept with it in his house without fear.” This followed another incident reported on Sunday in the nearby village of Badlaneni, where another python was found eating goats.

Pietermaritzburg – The EFF in KwaZulu-Natal has slammed the Department of Education for failing to pay Grade R teachers and school nutrition suppliers. The party said nutrition suppliers have not been paid for two months, while Grade R teachers received their salaries late. On Monday, frustrated suppliers protested outside the department’s offices in Pietermaritzburg.

Durban – KwaZulu-Natal police are urging residents to avoid violence and resolve conflicts peacefully following a rise in assault cases. Police say recent crime stats show a sharp rise in both common assault and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Most of the cases are between neighbours and family members who can’t resolve their issues and end up fighting, especially in the Chatsworth area.

Pictured above: Dam workers discovered two pythons while digging. One was caught and killed, while the other escaped.

Image source: Supplied by KwaMusi Community