Clarification on baboon issue

Writer De Waal Steyn

After more than 18 months of wrangling over who is responsible for the management of baboons in the Overstrand, the municipality last week received a mandate from the provincial government stating that it is the municipality’s obligation to manage these animals.

According to Ward 3 councillor, Kari Brice, the mandate was received after “relentless negotiations between mayor Dudley Coetzee and the provincial government. At last we succeeded in securing the approval from Anton Bredell, MEC of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning.

“The mandate must now be ratified by the Western Cape cabinet, but in terms of this agreement the Overstrand Municipality may implement measures to curb the contentious baboon problem. As you are well aware, it has been an extremely frustrating journey for all concerned,” Brice said.

According to her, an amount of R2 million has been budgeted by the municipality and this will be used for baboon control measures throughout the Overstrand. “Our Environmental Department is totally aware of the urgency regarding the implementation of this project, but it will take a few weeks for contracts and training to be consolidated. I am truly overjoyed by this announcement as I too, have worked tirelessly in searching and pleading for potential solutions and funding, only to be thwarted by policies.”

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