Brutal murder of Raygun the baboon under investigation
Breakfast with Martin Bester spoke to Jacques Peacock, Communications Manager at the NSPCA, following the brutal murder of Raygun the baboon at the hands of schoolchildren.
The tragic killing of Raygun has sparked major concern in South Africa.
Since the start of February, Raygun has been making headlines after running amok and slipping through the fingers of rescue workers who tried to remove him from Pretoria’s suburbs.
Brendan Murray, founder of the Owl Rescue Centre in Hartbeespoort, North West, named the baboon Raygun after his escape "moves," which he compared to those of Rachel Gunn (Raygun), a breakdancer who participated in the Olympic Games last year.
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Unfortunately, over the weekend, the beloved baboon—who had captured the hearts of many South Africans—was brutally stoned and burned to death by schoolchildren.
Video footage of the incident showed a bewildered Raygun on the roof of a school, while schoolchildren in uniform screamed, shouted, and threw objects at him.
Another video showed a crowd of children chanting and dancing while beating Raygun’s teeth out of his mouth before setting him alight.
Raygun, we are distraught. Your death serves as a stern reminder to us of the work we still have left to do to protect wild animals and what a far way the youth needs to come to learn respect and appreciation for other living creatures. #OwlRescueCentre pic.twitter.com/goKWTIitRk
— Danelle Murray (@DanelleMurray_) February 10, 2025
Jacques Peacock, Communications Manager at the NSPCA, joined the conversation, confirming the grim details of Raygun's death.
He struggled to comprehend how anyone could commit such cruelty without feeling an ounce of compassion or guilt. "I can't get to grips with and fathom how any human being could physically do that," Peacock stated, urging the public to support initiatives aimed at preventing such cruelty.
The horrific event took place at Botleng Secondary School in Victor Khanye Local Municipality, implicating students aged between 13 and 19.
Jacques discussed the efforts to track down those responsible using available video footage, noting the chaotic nature of the incident and the involvement of many individuals.
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The school's principal has so far remained silent, with a meeting scheduled to address the incident.
The NSPCA and other authorities have vowed to take action, and an investigation is now underway to hold those responsible accountable.
Need for support and awareness
Jacques Peacock highlighted an alarming trend of brutal animal cruelty incidents increasingly being posted on social media.
This disturbing pattern has placed significant pressure on NSPCA inspectors, diverting their focus from fieldwork to investigating digital evidence to hold perpetrators accountable.
Raising awareness and educating the public about compassion for animals is essential. Peacock emphasized the NSPCA's need for public support, as they receive no state funding and rely entirely on community goodwill.
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Martin Bester urged listeners to contribute financially to the NSPCA, reinforcing the importance of supporting this critical work.
Listeners were encouraged to support the NSPCA by visiting their website, nspca.co.za, or engaging with them on social media. The organization needs funds for potential court cases and educational campaigns and to support their team as they deal with increasing cruelty cases.
Jacques Peacock expressed hope that this incident serves as a wake-up call for those involved and for society at large. Recognising animals as sentient beings and understanding the consequences of one’s actions is vital for societal progress.
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Image: X/ Screenshot