SAPS Cop Catches 2 Highly Venomous Snakes, Mzansi Applauds Bravery: “So Proud of Her”
- Captain Joanita Becker, a South African Police Service (SAPS) Porter pilot, bravely caught two venomous reptiles at a police station
- While one of the snakes was hiding in a filing cabinet, the other greeted her outside upon her arrival
- Many members of the online community applauded the woman, while someone suggested all cops should attend snake-catching courses
- An instructor from the African Snakebite Institute explained to Briefly News the difference between a Cape cobra and a puff adder
Source: UGC
A South African Police Service (SAPS) Porter pilot displayed incredible courage by catching two highly venomous snakes. Her fearless actions captured the admiration of many South Africans who praised her bravery.
Cop shows snake-handling skills
The official SAPS Facebook account shared that on Sunday, 26 January 2025, Captain Joanita Becker, who is also a registered snake catcher in Kimberley, responded to the call of a Cape cobra. The highly venomous reptile made itself comfy at Belmont SAPS Community Centre (CSC).
The SAPS post read that it took the captain 20 minutes to trace and catch the snake, which hid in the police station's filing cabinet.
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However, that was not all that was in store.
When the captain arrived, she also found and caught a puff adder outside the CSC.
Take a look at the picture below:
Source: Facebook
Providing more information about the brave cop, SAPS shared that between 2019 and 2022, when COVID-19 was still rampant, Captain Becker completed her Level 1 and 2 snake catchers course through the African Snakebite Institute. She is trained to identify, catch, and release the slithering reptiles into their natural habitat.
The Facebook post added:
"She was also trained to administer first aid to snakebite victims, bearing in mind that both the Cape cobra and puff adder are rated the most dangerous and venomous snakes in Africa."
Difference between Cape cobras and a puff adders
Tim Brammer, an instructor from the African Snakebite Institute, shared with Briefly News three differences between Cap cobras and puff adders.
1. Appearance
Puff adders have short and stout bodies optimised for their lifestyle as an ambush predator and are a dull brown or grey with a series of lighter chevron markings down the back. Their heads are also large and triangular.
Cape cobras are slender with comparatively short heads and are often brightly coloured.
"Coloration can vary quite a bit. Plain forms may be bright yellow, cream, coppery brown or almost black. Occasionally, Cape cobras may also have darker speckles all over their body. Juvenile Cape cobras usually have a dark band on the throat."
2. Venom
With Cape cobras, they have a potent neurotoxic venom that affects the nervous system, which can lead to paralysis of the respiratory system if left untreated.
Tim states that puff adders have a potent venom that is predominantly cytotoxic and bites can cause extensive swelling, pain, and often result in local necrosis.
3. Defensive behaviour
The instructor informed the publication:
"Cape cobras will stand tall and spread a hood to warn any potential threats. They will also not hesitate to strike in self-defence. Puff adders prefer to lie motionless, hoping to go undetected. When this fails, they will hiss loudly and strike if provoked."
Tim also shared that snakes are not out to attack humans.
"They view us as we would view a lion in the wild. Running away is all they want to do if given the chance. In general, it’s only when you injure or corner a snake that they are provoked to bite."
Mzansi applauds SAPS officer
Hundreds of social media users praised the government official for her bravery, adding positive messages in the post's comment section.
Emmie La Grange shared with online users:
"She is one of my favourite people. Always willing to help. So proud of her."
Durby-Ann Swart said to Captain Becker:
"I take off my sun hat and church hat for you. You are next-level brave! I can't even look at a snake on TV. My feet would be on the couch and my eyes shut."
Genevieve Williams, who seemingly knows the cop, commented:
"So proud of you, my friend! Jy's ook bang vir niks (You're scared of nothing)."
A proud Ras Sanele Makhanya-Mngoma stated:
"Helping her fellow countrymen is her calling. Well done, Ma'am."
Marius Verwey humorously added:
"Yesterday, I won a fight with one of those by 3km."
Themba Nkuna shared their thoughts in the comment section, writing:
"Come to think about this, all police officers must train as snake handlers so that when we see a snake in the house, we call the cops."
3 Other Briefly News stories about snakes
- KwaZulu-Natal-based snake handler Nick Evans shared that he caught a black mamba making itself comfortable inside a stuffed teddy bear.
- A highly venomous Cape cobra was found nestling itself under a homeowner's pillows, claiming the resting space as its own. The clip frightened online users.
- A South African family's Christmas turned chaotic when a boomslang dropped from a tree and sent the family running at 2 am.
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Source: Briefly News
