The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the decision by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to investigate the disturbing killing of the male baboon, known as Raygun, at Botleng Secondary School in Delmas, Mpumalanga. We call for the law to be applied to resolve this matter.
We note that a video circulating on Friday last week which showed the brutal killing of Raygun, sparked widespread outrage, and heated political debate. For this reason, it is essential that an impartial and factual investigation takes place.
Apart from laws which make animal abuse a crime, the 1974 Nature Conservation Act stipulates that it is illegal to shoot or kill baboons in South Africa without a permit.
The DA also calls on the Mpumalanga Department of Basic Education together with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) to take note of this incident, and to ensure that learners receive proper guidance and learning on the importance of wild animals in the ecosystem.