By A Correspondent- Martha Muzira (75) from Matoto village under chief Serima in Chatsworth, Gutu district, succumbed to the venom of the serpent, reputed to be one of the deadliest on the African continent after it struck her on the hand and head, but not before wrestling and killing it.

An elderly woman from Serima in Chatsworth, about 58 kilometres north of Masvingo died on Monday after she was bitten by a Black Mamba which she stumbled on in her granary.

Masvingo police confirmed the incident which occurred as the elderly woman was selecting some beans in her granary. Provincial police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Charity Mazula said that Muzira was alone at her homestead when the incident occurred.

Chief Insp Mazula said Muzira was selecting beans in her granary when the snake first struck her on the hand and she started battling with it whilst holding it with bare hands.

During the commotion, the snake struck Muzira again on the forehead before she eventually killed it but soon succumbed to the snake’s venom.

As Muzira battled the serpent, a 14-year-old boy who was passing by her homestead saw her and rushed to inform her neighbour, Ronika Chihota, (70), who rushed to the scene and found Muzira still alive but losing consciousness. Chihota performed some first aid on Muzira but it failed and she died on the spot.