The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) is demanding justice for Raygun, a male Chacma baboon who suffered a horrific fate in Delmas, Mpumalanga. What should have been a simple journey in search of a new home turned into a gruesome act of cruelty, leaving animal welfare organizations and the public outraged.
Raygun’s tragic ordeal began near Botleng Secondary School, where witnesses reported seeing the primate being chased, beaten, and ultimately set on fire. Disturbingly, his remains were later found mutilated, with his hands, feet, head, and heart removed. Despite viral videos documenting the attack, the NSPCA has voiced frustration over the lack of cooperation from the school’s management, which oversees around 1,800 students.
Chief Inspector Douglas Wolhuter, Manager of the NSPCA’s Wildlife Protection Unit, revealed that the case is steeped in superstition, complicating the pursuit of justice. Some local beliefs associate baboons with witchcraft, making investigations more challenging. Wolhuter expressed his horror at the brutality inflicted on Raygun, emphasizing that the baboon was merely following his natural instincts in seeking a new territory.
To prevent such tragedies in the future, the NSPCA is launching an extensive educational campaign aimed at fostering awareness about animal sentience and promoting responsible interactions with wildlife in urban settings. This initiative, which will utilize television and radio broadcasts, requires significant financial investment. Wolhuter stressed the necessity of community education, underscoring that no living being should ever endure such agony.
Raygun first captured public attention when the Owl Rescue Centre reported his escape from a local sanctuary, after which he found his way to the national archives building at the Department of Arts and Culture. His unintentional misadventure earned him a place in the spotlight, but what followed was a shocking display of inhumanity.
Reports indicate that Raygun had perched himself on the school roof while learners below screamed and threw objects at him. A frightened and disoriented Raygun was seen darting across the rooftop in viral footage before being subjected to brutal violence. One particularly harrowing video shows learners attacking him before setting him alight.
Brendan Murray from the Owl Rescue Centre relayed additional horrifying details, stating that according to some residents, a witch doctor arrived after the attack to remove Raygun’s hands, head, and heart. His remains were eventually laid to rest beneath a Marula tree at a local sanctuary.
“We failed him terribly,” Murray lamented. “His death is a stark reminder of how much work remains to protect wild animals and how far we still have to go in educating the youth on respect and appreciation for all living beings.”
In the wake of this heartbreaking incident, the NSPCA has offered a R20,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible. The organization remains resolute in its pursuit of justice for Raygun, vowing to hold the perpetrators accountable and ensure that no other animal suffers a similar fate.
