Speaker calls for calm over baboon death

CITY of uMhlathuze Speaker Cllr Wisdom Mthenjana has warned Ngwelezana residents not to harass elderly people, whom they suspect of being the owners of a baboon, which was recently spotted in the township and killed.

Mthenjana was speaking during a joint 2018/2019 IDP Review Public Participation meeting held at Ngwelezana Sport Ground.

The much talked about baboon was first spotted at Empangeni Rail two weeks ago, before putting in an appearance at Ngwelezana Hospital the following day, where it was chased and beaten to death.

‘I’m making this appeal knowing that many of our community members tend to link the discovery of this animal with witchcraft practises.

‘Please don’t hurt our mothers and gogos who live in this township. I know that Ngwelezana is trending on social media as the home of a baboon, because this animal was beaten to death here.

‘I also know that in our culture it is unusual to see a baboon walking freely in broad daylight, but as the leadership of this municipality we have it on good authority that this is not the first place where this animal was discovered,’ he said.

In his reply, local Councillor Phikelakhe Ntanzi said Ngwelezana was a no go area for baboons.

‘Any baboons planning to have a tour of this township must know they are not welcome.

‘For years such animals have been known to be operating at night, and should they be found loitering aimlessly in our beautiful township during the day, they will be dealt with accordingly,’ he warned.

Housing

Mthenjana also allayed fears that there was a housing registration list circulating in the city.

‘I can assure you that no housing registration has taken place. What we have done is to embark on housing consumer education, so as to have a database of the national housing needs. This helps us when we do planning.

‘We have been receiving calls from communities enquiring about this. We know there is a big demand for housing in the city. We will never keep you in the dark.

‘Once the registration starts we will make an announcement. We will continue walking side by side with you,’ added Mthenjana, who was joined by community members in celebrating his birthday.