Man commit suicide by intentionally exposing himself to venomous snakes

A 28 year-old security officer, Marius Joubert who was set to appear before the Hennenman Magistrate Court last week Friday, April 5, on charges of housebreaking and theft committed suicide by putting his hands in two different cages of his venomous snakes.

Joubert was booked out of custody and was taken to his Hennenman residence to point out more items
stolen from the housebreaking and theft he was a suspect in.

“The handcuffs were removed from his hands when he was busy pointing some additional items stolen.
He put his hands in two different cages of his own dangerous snakes.

“He was bitten by both snakes and was quickly removed from the house” said Lejweleputswa police spokesperson person Stephen Thakeng.

Joubert refused to be treated while at the police station.

A second ambulance was called and he was admitted at Katleho hospital in Virginia and was later transferred to Bongani Hospital in Welkom where he succumbed to his injuries on 31 March 2024.

But there was more to his Hennenman residence than the two venomous snakes that bit him, that left the Chief Inspector Reinet Meyer sad and in disbelief upon arrival there after receiving a call to assist from local conservation authority.

Upon arrival they found a number of animals dead due to starvation and dehydration, but over 60
animals were still alive.

The majority of animals kept were venomous snakes, a pair of ferrets, animals prohibited to own in
South Africa, pregnant meekats, exotic tarantulas, and gekos and three rare wild caught colour varients
of Rinkals.

The animals were caught and rescued by experienced snake handlers and were then rushed to
Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary of hospital for emergency treatment by the Virginia and Bloemfontein
SPCA.

The Bloemfontein SPCA has thanked the two snake handlers from Bloemfontein for helping in removals
of the animals.