Snake lands WES’ Willats in hospital

THABAZIMBI – A Mozambican Spitting Cobra bit Richard Willats, Managing Director of WESenterprises (PTY) Ltd on Saturday, 14 December, when he was going to bed.

“How the snake got into the house and into the bedroom, we still have no idea because the house has screen doors and screens on windows which were all closed,” Mrs Monica Willats told Kwêvoël. They believe the painters and contractors renovating their home at that time, could’ve let a door or window open for the snake to come inside.

Richard was able to kill the snake after it bit him on the leg. They rushed to Medi-Clinic in Thabazimbi, where doctors were already waiting for them.

Richard was transferred that evening by ambulance to Rustenburg, Peglerae Hospital and has been in hospital for just over a month. He has been in theatre five times in order for the dead tissue to be removed.

The extent of the damage can be seen in the photo. “From now on it is a slow healing and cleaning process after which the doctors will be able to do skin graph,” Monica explained.

Richard and Monica would like to thank the community of Thabazimbi as well as all the employees of WESenterprises for their wonderful support and well wishes during this difficult time over this very unfortunate incident.

Monica Willats at her husband, Richard’s bedside on New Year’s Day at Peglerae Hospital in Rustenburg where he has been for over a month since the snake bite.

 

 

 

 

Richard’s leg where the Mozambican Spitting Cobra has bitten him.