Graphic content warning: Baboon saga divides Delmas communities

Botleng Secondary School, and thus Delmas, made the national headlines for all the wrong reasons over the past two weeks.

Tension, with a racial undertone, can be felt in these communities.

The killing of Raygun, a male Cape baboon, on the school premises has caused division, with those outraged by the brutality of the act demanding justice on the one side. On the other hand, those with a deep-seated fear of baboons and belief that the animal was sent as part of witchcraft to cast a spell on the learners.

Raygun’s death sparked a national outcry, especially since many had followed the animal’s trek through Pretoria towards the east.

Video footage tells the story of what unfolded at the school on February 6.

First, Raygun is spotted on the school’s roof while learners scream in terror. Three boys, assumed to be learners, climb onto the roof and throw stones at the animal.

In another video, the bleeding baboon lies on the ground, being beaten with sticks and kicked. A burning tyre is later placed on top of the carcass.

According to the NSPCA, the baboon’s hands, feet, heart, and head had been removed when they recovered the carcass.

While its Wildlife Protection Unit is offering a reward of R20 000 for anyone with information that could lead to the successful prosecution of those responsible for Raygun’s death, the school management and principal remain mum.

Aggrieved Facebook users have bashed the school on its social page. Angry to outright racial and slanderous messages have flooded in.

The Streeknews also has its hands full with comments from people with radical views on both sides of the racial divide.

Juan-Pierré Ronquest opted for a holistic approach in his comment on what should happen to the learners responsible for torturing the baboon.

“The children should do community service in the zoo, and the parents and teachers/principal should be held accountable.”

Sivuyile Banderous said, “This might not be the normal one (the norm). So much witchcraft happening at schools these days … some people don’t believe in such things … poor animal divides South Africans.“

Christelle Grobler asked the whereabouts of the teachers.

Community leaders have called for calm. Doctor Martin van Rensburg, a minister and leader of the community group Delmas Herleef, said there are several sides to this sensitive issue.

“There is the view of the Christian and the view of the nature lover, but there is also a complex African cultural perspective in which superstition plays a huge role.”

Van Rensburg said although it seems as if the children were reckless and cruel, he believes the community should now take hands to make sense of what had happened.

“After all, we are all united in our diversity and should not look down on the other. Delmas Herleef stands for the upliftment of our communities, our town and the country. Let us move past our emotions and look at what we can learn from what happened. What will we, as a community, do to overcome the differences that tear us apart and rather find common ground on which to build each other up?” Van Rensburg asked.

Another leader in the community said the baboon-saga had definitively struck nerves in the community. He believes there is room for education about cultures and how to treat animals.

The Department of Education in Mpumalanga demanded a detailed report from the school. Spokesperson Jasper Zwane said the department is “deeply shocked and saddened” by the incident.

“Such actions are unacceptable and violate the core values of respect, empathy and responsibility. The department strongly condemns any form of violence against animals and asserts that all living beings, human or animal, deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.”

Zwane said the incident highlights a critical need for education on preserving nature and respecting wildlife.

“Learners must be taught to understand their role in protecting the environment. We urge all stakeholders, schools and communities to work together to prevent such incidents in the future.”

Zwane said this could be done by promoting a deep understanding of wildlife conservation and environmental responsibility.