Baboon terrorises travellers

From Bulawayo Bureau
A MALE baboon has descended on the Limpopo Bridge at the border between Zimbabwe and South Africa, where it is reportedly snatching groceries from travellers, it has emerged.

In interviews, some travellers said the baboon had become a nuisance at the bridge.

"This animal has really turned into a nuisance especially to us pedestrians because we are losing expensive groceries.

"We are appealing to the responsible authorities to deal with it", said a cross border trader who only identified herself as MaKhumalo.

"Yesterday (on Sunday) a friend of mine had her packet of apples and two loaves of bread snatched away from her by the same baboon", she added.

Another regular traveller to South Africa, Ms Mmpo Muleya said she also battled with the baboon on her way from Musina after the animal had attempted to snatch her groceries. She said she only managed to get some assistance from some South African soldiers manning the bridge.

"Last week it attempted to snatch my bag full of groceries, however, some soldiers managed to scare it away," she said.

She said the animal was a threat to unaccompanied children using the bridge.

However, another male cross border traveller said the baboon only targeted women.

"Surprisingly, this baboon only targets women travellers, because personally I have never encountered any problems when using the bridge," said Mr Innocent Sibela.

Local police and soldiers manning the bridge also confirmed the existence of the baboon.

"We have witnessed such incidents in which a big male baboon snatches groceries from travellers, but those are isolated incidents, it happens after a long time. In most cases we do our best to scare the animal away", said a soldier who declined to be named for professional reasons.

When contacted for comment, officials from the Parks and Wildlife Authority in the border town said they were not aware of the development.

"We are not aware of such a case happening at the bridge, if anything those who claim to have had their food snatched by the baboon in question should have reported to us, so that we can do something," said a senior Parks and Wildlife Authority official.

"We have always culled troublesome animals following reports from the public and we will also seriously look into this one", he added.

Hmnnn, does anyone know if Ganyana has an alibi during these raids?