Cape Town – Animal experts have revealed that the severed limbs found dangling on the vibracrete wall of a house in Bellville came from three different baboons, and not one as residents have claimed.
People at the house told inspectors of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA that the feet and hands of the baboons were used as muti to scare off suspects.
They also claimed the limbs came from a dead baboon they found on an undisclosed farm.
The SPCA, which investigated after receiving an anonymous tip-off from a neighbour, immediately had the limbs tested to confirm or deny the residents’ claims.
On Sunday, it said forensic tests have proved the limbs came from three different baboons.
The investigation revealed that one of the left hands belonged to a young adult male, the other to an adult female and the right foot was from a juvenile.
The SPCA is now trying to ascertain whether the limbs were cut off while the animals were still alive.
The SPCA made the horrific discovery at a house in Boston, Bellville, on March 17 following a tip-off.
When inspectors arrived at the house, they found the baboon limbs tied with pieces of orange string on the vibracrete fence.
The residents later told inspectors that according to their traditional beliefs, the body parts of the animal were meant to scare off intruders.
They refused to say where they found or bought the limbs.
It is illegal to kill wild animals for the purpose of muti.
The SPCA’s Belinda Abraham says they will now interview the owners of the house to get to the bottom of the matter.
“In a horrifying turn of events, we have established that the severed baboon limbs found hanging from the perimeter wall of a Boston home are likely to have come from three different baboons,” she says.
“With thanks to expert pro bono services, we now have it on good authority that the limbs are the left hand of a young adult male, the left hand of an adult female and the right foot of a juvenile."
“Our CEO, Allan Perrins, and a panel of experts will now interview the suspects in the hopes that they will disclose further information.”
She says both Cape Nature and police have been made aware of the findings and continue to work alongside the SPCA.
“We will not rest until we have uncovered the facts in this matter and sought justice where justice is due.”