Animal welfare groups demand justice for Chacma baboon slaughter in Cape Town
Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
A R5,000 reward has been offered for any information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of individuals involved in the brutal killing of an adult Chacma baboon, which was allegedly butchered for human consumption in Ocean View.
Disturbing footage of the incident has surfaced on social media, showing the horrific slaughter of the protected species.
The video, which began circulating on Monday, was brought to the attention of both the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa (AWS SA) and the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, sparking urgent investigations by both animal welfare organisations.
'This horrific act is not only inhumane but also illegal,' said AWS SA spokesperson Alan Perrins. 'Chacma baboons are a vulnerable and protected species in South Africa. These intelligent, sentient beings are already under immense pressure from habitat loss, urban encroachment, and human-wildlife conflict. Now, they face yet another threat: barbaric killings for bushmeat.'
Perrins confirmed that AWS SA had immediately alerted CapeNature and its counterparts at the SPCA, with early indications pointing to members of the Ocean View community.
'We are combining resources to ensure the swift identification and prosecution of those responsible. Killing or consuming protected wildlife is a criminal offence, and we will pursue this case with the full weight of the law.'
Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham confirmed that wildlife inspectors visited Ocean View on Monday as part of a joint operation with the City of Cape Town's Law Enforcement and Safety and Security Investigation Unit (SSIU).
'Our team immediately jumped into action after receiving the footage,' Abraham said.
'We are working closely with the relevant authorities, and our investigation is ongoing. The video is graphic and distressing, and we are determined to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.'
The SPCA is offering a R5,000 reward for any information that leads to a successful conviction. Their 24/7 Inspectorate Control Room can be contacted at 021 700 4158 or via confidential WhatsApp at 021 700 4140.
AWS SA Senior Inspector Sivuyile Kilwa can also be reached at 021 692 2626, 082 601 1761, or via email at ([email protected])(mailto:[email protected]).
Animal rights advocacy group Baboon Matters added its voice to the call for justice, condemning the killing in the strongest terms.
'We were utterly appalled at the reprehensible killing of a baboon as detailed in the CGHSPCA post,' said Baboon Matters founder Jenni Trethowan.
'We call on residents who may have witnessed the awful event to please come forward with information – these killers must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Now is the time for the authorities to act cohesively and decisively.'
Authorities have urged the public not to share the video due to its graphic content, and instead to report it directly to enforcement officials as part of the ongoing investigation.
'Let us stand together and say NO to cruelty. NO to wildlife crimes. YES to justice,' said Perrins.
[email protected]

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The Star
23 minutes ago
- The Star
South African man jailed for attempting to smuggle stolen Toyota Hilux to Zimbabwe
Jonisayi Maromo | Published 1 week ago A 34-year-old man, Solomon Chiloane, has appeared before the Mokopane Magistrate's Court in Limpopo, after he was arrested for possession of a suspected stolen vehicle. The case against Chiloane was postponed to 29 July 2025 for further investigations, while he was remanded in custody. Chiloane was arrested after police in Limpopo received information about a stolen Toyota Hilux bakkie. The vehicle was reported stolen on Saturday around the Lyttleton policing area in Tshwane. 'On Monday, information was received about the bakkie that was reportedly driven from Gauteng province along the R101 public road headed to Limpopo province,' said provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba. The Limpopo anti-smuggling task team and private security companies sprang into action and a joint operation was activated. The bakkie was positively spotted entering the town of Mokopane, and it was intercepted and searched. 'A 34-year-old male driver could not provide a satisfactory response about the origin of the white Toyota Hilux bakkie, valued at more than R700,000, and was immediately placed under arrest on the spot for possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle,' said Ledwaba. 'Preliminary investigations revealed that the bakkie was intended to be illegally smuggled to Zimbabwe.' Police in Limpopo said they have established that Chiloane is a South African national. Meanwhile, the provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has welcomed Chiloane's arrest and the recovery of the stolen vehicle. 'This collaboration between police and private security has proven from time to time that working jointly we can achieve more in combating the organized syndicate targeting vehicle smuggling,' said Hadebe. On Tuesday, IOL reported that a 48-year-old Zimbabwean man, Stephen Nyoni, has been remanded in custody after appearing in a Limpopo court for possessing a stolen vehicle. The high-performance luxury sport utility vehicle, valued at over R2.5 million, was intercepted during a targeted anti-smuggling operation. The anti-crime blitz was conducted by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo in collaboration with private security partners along the N1 highway near Polokwane. [email protected] IOL News

SowetanLIVE
3 hours ago
- SowetanLIVE
Alexandra CPF member accused of murdering her son is granted bail
Ntombizodwa Mashinini, an Alexandra community policing forum (CPF) member accused of stabbing her son to death, was on Thursday released on R5,000 bail. Mashinini, 40, appeared in the Alexandra magistrate's court on Thursday on a charge of murder. When she walked into the court, the accused blew a kiss while greeting family members in the public gallery with a smile. She gave one of the family members a brown envelope. Some people seated in the public gallery expressed a wish for her to be granted bail so that she can take care of her eight-month-old baby. While waiting for her verdict, a family member said: 'We pray that she gets bail and takes care of her kids, her kids really love her, and she loves them too.' Meanwhile, family members were stressed about the bail as Mashinini is unemployed and volunteering for the Alexandra CPF. An Alexandra CPF executive confirmed Mashinini was a member. 'We are aware of the issue of our member being accused of murdering her son. The case is in the hands of the law, and it will be investigated like all other cases,' the executive said. Mashinini is accused of killing her 21-year-old son on July 5 at their home in East Bank. According to the state, the 21-year-old came home on the day intoxicated and there was an argument in the kitchen where there was a knife. A struggle ensued and Mashinini grabbed the knife and stabbed her son. The state did not oppose bail. The defence argued that she was the first-time offender, had no previous convictions, no pending cases and no pending protection orders. Mashinisi was released on condition she does not have contact with witnesses. These include her boyfriend and her two older children. She was granted full custody of her eight-month-old baby. The case has been postponed to August 13 for a regional court appearance and further police investigations. TimesLIVE

TimesLIVE
5 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Alexandra CPF member accused of murdering her son is granted bail
Ntombizodwa Mashinini, an Alexandra community policing forum (CPF) member accused of stabbing her son to death, was on Thursday released on R5,000 bail. Mashinini, 40, appeared in the Alexandra magistrate's court on Thursday on a charge of murder. When she walked into the court, the accused blew a kiss while greeting family members in the public gallery with a smile. She gave one of the family members a brown envelope. Some people seated in the public gallery expressed a wish for her to be granted bail so that she can take care of her eight-month-old baby. While waiting for her verdict, a family member said: 'We pray that she gets bail and takes care of her kids, her kids really love her, and she loves them too.' Meanwhile, family members were stressed about the bail as Mashinini is unemployed and volunteering for the Alexandra CPF. An Alexandra CPF executive confirmed Mashinini was a member. 'We are aware of the issue of our member being accused of murdering her son. The case is in the hands of the law, and it will be investigated like all other cases,' the executive said. Mashinini is accused of killing her 21-year-old son on July 5 at their home in East Bank. According to the state, the 21-year-old came home on the day intoxicated and there was an argument in the kitchen where there was a knife. A struggle ensued and Mashinini grabbed the knife and stabbed her son. The state did not oppose bail. The defence argued that she was the first-time offender, had no previous convictions, no pending cases and no pending protection orders. Mashinisi was released on condition she does not have contact with witnesses. These include her boyfriend and her two older children. She was granted full custody of her eight-month-old baby. The case has been postponed to August 13 for a regional court appearance and further police investigations.