PATRONS screamed and ran for cover when the big baboon stormed into the tavern.
But he ignored them and headed straight for a table with beer bottles on it, grabbed a bottle and drank it!
Then the big grey baboon climbed on the fence outside the tavern in Zone 1, Ga-Rankuwa, north of Pretoria and sat watching the Saturday afternoon scene.
Apparently the boozing baboon has been in the area for more than a year.
A guesthouse owner, Alfred Bantseke, claimed that the animal killed his dog last month.
He told Daily Sun: “The baboon climbed over my wall at night and got into my yard. My dog tried to fight, but it ended up dead.
“The baboon should be hunted and killed before he causes more harm.
“That thing is big. He is going to attack people one day. He lives in the mountain and is hungry most of the time.”
Monica Matsei said she sees the beer-drinking beast almost every day.
“He comes into my yard through my neighbour’s fence and climbs on my wall. He likes to sit on walls.
“But he gets afraid when my dog starts barking. He looks confused and leaves,” she said.
Some residents complain that the baboon destroys their gardens and steals food and pots from their houses.
Inspector Meshack Matlou from the SPCA said people must not harm the animal but should call the office of Nature Conservation on 012 341 1415.
“They will trap the baboon and remove it from the community,” he said.
