The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) is looking into the horrific death of a male Chacma baboon named “Raygun.” He was pursued at Botleng Secondary School in Delmas, Mpumalanga, where he was beaten and set on fire. Afterward, Raygun’s body was mutilated, with his hands, feet, head, and heart removed.
The NSPCA is offering a reward of R20,000 for information that leads to a successful conviction of those involved in harming Raygun and identifying the source of the video footage. They are also urging anyone who filmed the attack to come forward.
Videos that went viral on Friday, February 7, 2025, show the incident, but the school management is not identifying those responsible. After discussions with the school, which oversees around 1 800 children, it became evident that the case is deeply rooted in superstitions about baboons and witchcraft. The NSPCA learned that the community, who reportedly started the chase after Raygun, asked the school to inform them if any authorities tried to investigate his death.
The school principal, who stated that she moved her car during the chaos before returning to the building, has refused to identify the three students seen chasing Raygun on the roof. According to the school, ten students had fainted earlier that morning, fueling suspicions that the baboon had been sent to cast a spell.
The NSPCA plans to launch a comprehensive program to educate both children and adults about animal sentience, legal protections for animals, and how to handle wildlife encounters in urban areas. They aim to broadcast this information on television and radio, despite the high costs involved.
Anyone with information related to the investigation can contact the NSPCA at wild3@nspca.co.za or call 011 907 3590. All tips will be kept confidential.
