Plett baboon committee disbanded
PLETTENBERG BAY -
The Bitou Baboon Action Committee Plett (BBACP), formed as a starting point to address and assist in finding solutions for Plett’s baboon problem, has been disbanded.
The move follows an acrimonious inaugural meeting on Tuesday 26 March at Zolewa Lodge Plettenberg Bay. The meeting, conducted under strict protocols, was ended before a closing statement was made.
During the meeting vitriolic statements were made against the panel present – especially by a Simon's Town woman who has admitted to shooting a juvenile baboon in her house. The woman has been charged in terms of cruelty to animals but has not yet pleaded, and cannot be identified until she pleads to the charges.
The meeting, at which Baboons Matter head Jenny Trethowan was present as a guest speaker, was also attended by Bitou Mayor Claude Terblanche, Ward 7 Councillor Annelise Olivier, Municipal Manager Dr Ralph Links and Community Services Director Melony Paulsen.
Terblanche said the municipality has a role to play in addressing the baboon problem in the town. "We have to work together with one another," he said.
The municipal delegation left before the meeting became heated and respect and decorum was lost.
Dr Morkel Pienaar, interim chairperson of the BBACP, announced the disbandment of the committee in a statement released on Tuesday 2 April.
He said the objective of forming the interim committee was to "open the door that would lead to path that would see the finalising of a permanent committee, representative of and held by those of the greater Plett area as a whole".
"Despite this attempt we found ourselves vilified and attacked and even threatened at every corner (privately and publicly). We were accused by some of holding a 'rigged' meeting and of having 'ulterior intentions', which was confusing to us as there had been no indication in any form to support this," said Pienaar.
Onslaught on committee
He said this "ceaseless onslaught" as well as having to be in attendance monitoring on the groups and people, both publicly and privately, not only wore them down but impacted their private and professional lives immensely.
"I was also saddened to see the harsh attack from fellow Plett residents on some BBACP members for them doing no more than what they were mandated to do by the committee or in their position and role therein. The displaced attention on some was unjust, as no one acted alone or without instruction or support of their roles and actions. It was a joint effort at all times," said Pienaar.
The BBACP interim committee was formed to be a starting point to address and assist in finding solutions to the baboonrelated issues and needs for Plett south and ultimately for the greater Plett area, as it was evident that their was a dire need for action.
"The formation of the interim committee was done in utmost good faith and with only good intentions and was only to be interim, allowing for a full-time one to be established," Pienaar said.
"As we stated (repeatedly), the objective was to open the door that would lead to a path that would see the finalising of a permanent committee, representative of and held by those of the greater Plett area as a whole." He said after deep consideration and discussions, the committee members concluded that the best way forward for them would be to change their position in order to still be able to advance an efficient and productive way of dealing with the baboon issue.
Committee dissolved
"We have all thus in effect withdrawn as committee members and in turn dissolved
the interim committee," said Pienaar. "Some of us along with others have also been in discussion, and also with interested parties and stakeholders, and have decided that the best way forward to continue the work we wish to do and have achieved, is to establish a private entity organisation, probably as an NPO/NPC or a PBO, and work from that parameter."
Their opinion is that this will be more beneficial to the goals and objectives they had in mind, while also allowing others who wish to continue the work they are doing or wanted to do in their own capacities.
"It was evident from our volunteer monitors’ efforts that it is effective and does help to keep the baboons at bay and out of people's homes," he said.
He indicated that their first project is likely to be the rolling out of an effective monitors and volunteer programme, as it was one they received a tremendous amount of support and offers and sponsorship for.
He thanked all those who supported their initiative and objectives and said they will be making contact with each of them individually to discuss the options and plans moving forward.