In February 2025, three students at Botleng Secondary School in Delmas, Mpumalanga, chased Raygun while he was on the roof.
Image: Supplied
The tragic death of Raygun, remains shrouded in mystery as authorities seek to establish the critical moments leading up to the fatal incident.
The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has called on witnesses to establish with absolute certainty who struck the fatal blow to Raygun.
Last month, Raygun, a male chacma baboon, was chased at Botleng Secondary School in Delmas, Mpumalanga, beaten, and set alight. Videos of the incident went viral on February 7.
The NSPCA is investigating the killing and has offered a R20,000 reward for information leading to a successful conviction, relating to those involved in harming Raygun and the origin of the video footage.
Raygun was attacked while on the roof at Botleng Secondary School in February 2025.
Image: Supplied
In an update on Friday, the NSPCA said one crucial piece of the puzzle remained missing.
The NSPCA said it has been working hard going through a large amount of information received, some credible and others not.
“To establish beyond reasonable doubt who delivered the fatal blow to Raygun, we require additional evidence – particularly footage or eyewitness accounts from the moments leading up to his death,” the NSPCA said.
“We urge anyone who may have seen or recorded what happened on the rooftop where Raygun sustained his final injuries, or the moment he was thrown to the ground, to come forward.
“The post-mortem report confirms that Raygun suffered antemortem trauma, reinforcing the brutality of this crime,” the NSPCA continued.
“Yet, to ensure those responsible are held accountable, we need that final piece of irrefutable evidence.”
The NSPCA stated that, in addition to identifying those who inflicted the fatal blows, it would pursue charges against an individual at the school where this horrific act occurred.
“Their actions and omissions contributed to the suffering Raygun endured, and we remain steadfast in holding all those responsible to account,” the NSPCA explained.
“We thank every supporter who has stood with us in our pursuit of justice for Raygun.”
Raygun was buried after he was beaten and burnt to death at a high school in Delmas.
Image: The Owl Centre
Following Raygun’s killing last month, the NSPCA said after consulting with the school management, it was clear the case was deeply rooted in superstition regarding baboons used in witchcraft.
The NSPCA also reported that the community, which allegedly initiated the chase after Raygun, requested the school to inform them if any authorities attempted to investigate Raygun’s death.
The NSPCA said Botleng Secondary School’s principal refused to provide the names of the three pupils who were seen chasing Raygun on the school’s roof. However, according to the school, 10 children fainted earlier that morning, leading to the belief that the baboon was sent to cast a spell.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation can contact the NSPCA at wild3@nspca.co.za or call 011 907 3590. All tip-offs will remain anonymous.
Cape Argus
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