Raygun’s killers still at large despite R20K reward and public outrage

NATIONAL NEWS - One month after the brutal killing of Raygun, the baboon who captured the hearts of many, the investigation remains ongoing with no arrests made, despite a R20 000 reward and widespread public outcry.

Pretoria Rekord reports that Raygun was violently beaten and set on fire by a group of schoolchildren near Botleng Secondary School in Pretoria, last month.

The disturbing incident, caught on camera and widely shared on social media, left the public in shock and disgust.

In the footage, Raygun is seen perched on the school roof, surrounded by children in uniform throwing objects at him.

A second video shows a crowd of children chanting and dancing while viciously beating Raygun before setting him alight.

The tragic event occurred just days before Raygun’s expected return to the wild.

Earlier that week, he had been tracked through various parts of Pretoria by the Owl Rescue Centre, which had been monitoring his movements after he was seen roaming the streets.

Raygun was not a threat to anyone and had been trying to find his way to a new baboon troop near Bronkhorstspruit.

Brendan Murray, the founder of the Owl Rescue Centre, confirmed that the baboon in the videos was Raygun.

“This is a barbaric and senseless act of cruelty,” Murray said. “Raygun was simply trying to find a safe place, and he was met with pure violence. We must take action as a society to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

A teacher, previously employed at the school, confirmed to Pretoria Rekord that the incident happened at Botleng Secondary.

Following the attack, authorities, including the SAPS and the SPCA, launched an investigation.

Special investigator Mike Bolhuis was also brought in to assist, but after a month, no arrests have been made, and the case remains unsolved.

Despite a R20 000 reward for information leading to the identification of those responsible, no one has come forward, and the investigation continues without significant breakthroughs.