A vervet monkey was stoned to death and later set alight by residents of Mamelodi East Section 14, who accused the animal of witchcraft last week Sunday afternoon.
The community believed that the monkeys were used to bewitch one another and they could place a curse on a person or bring bad luck.
The community members spotted the monkey hanging on a tree and thought it was busy placing a curse on them. They started chasing the monkey using stones and sticks.
They finally cornered the monkey in a house where they stoned it to death before dragging it to the street for the whole community to see.
Later, they set the monkey on fire by using a burning tyre.
Speaking to one of the community members who wanted to remain anonymous, Looklocal was told that the monkeys were used as muti to place a curse, either to ensure that the person does not succeed in life or to bring bad spirit between friends and family members.
“If we find another monkey, we will burn it to hell, we want to live in peace and not hating each other because of muti,” he said.
Hecke Marais from Tshwane Nature Conservation said the community members were not used to wildlife and when they see monkeys roaming around the community, they think that the monkey has brought bad spirits to the community.
“The monkeys are no danger to the society and the only time they can become dangerous to the community is when they are threatened.
“We have tried to convince the community members that the monkeys are not bad spirits. Most of the community members, however, grew up being taught to believe that the monkeys are used for muti,” said Marais. – looklocal.co.za