Johann Kikillus, Kommetjie

Over the past six months, we have seen an increase in aggressive behaviour from our abnormally large troop of baboons.

They are now breaking into homes by smashing windows and ripping off burglar bars, They have killed at least three dogs and wounded others.

And the cost of damage to property runs into tens of thousands of rand. But I wish to raise another concern and that is the safety of our children.

Last week, the baboons raided Kommetjie Pre-primary School several times. Kommetjie Primary School has also become a place where they frequent several times per day.

Staff there tell me that often the children have to eat lunch in classrooms with the doors locked, and younger children need to be escorted outside. Many of the pupils have become very frightened of the baboons.

Then there is the park in Weavers End where I have witnessed caregivers who are looking after babies and toddlers having to scatter when confronted by several baboons.

I once witnessed a female baboon pull an adult woman to the ground and attempt to bite her arm just to get the ice cream in her hand. Sadly, our baboons are not wild anymore. They have become accustomed to living among us and gotten used to eating our foods, which are high in sugar and other processed rubbish.

I fear that one day a child will be attacked at the school or park or on the street for a packet of chips. The City of Cape Town keeps saying that this is not their issue and refers all queries to the "Joint task Team".

But I have had no assurance from anyone that our schools and parks are kept safe. Seeing that baboons often target the primary school several times a day, I would imagine that the Western Cape Education Department has some sort of policy to ensure that the pupils are kept safe.

What is the stance of WCED? And what reasonable action may we take to keep our children safe? Lastly, who can we hold responsible if a child is attacked on school property

• Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond responds: We cannot comment on the pre-school as it is a private institution.

However, I can confirm that Kommetjie Primary School has a baboon policy in place, which is acted upon when the baboons are on the school premises. The baboons have never harmed any pupils and there have been no incidents reported.

#baboon-matters-trust

Baboons pose danger to children