Public needs to see action taken against heritage site vandals

Graves are sacred spaces that hold deep emotional significance for families and friends of the deceased. More so the final resting place of world-renowned and wellloved icons. At the weekend, police arrested a man for allegedly desecrating the grave of Black Consciousness Movement founder Steve Biko in Ginsberg. Two bronze fists were removed from the tombstone and allegedly sold to a local scrap dealer. The vandalism of Biko’s grave has been condemned by community leaders and political formations, who said more needed to be done to protect a national heritage site.

Biko, who was born in King William’s Town (now Qonce), died after being severely assaulted by apartheid police. He was only 30 at the time of his death on September 12 1977.

Both Biko’s grave and house are recognised national sites by the SA Heritage Resources Agency.

The desecration of any grave for scrap metal — regardless of whose tombstone it is — shows a complete lack of empathy and respect for the deceased and their family. It is a disgrace.

Vandals have long been wreaking havoc across the Buffalo City Metro, damaging infrastructure and putting a financial strain on the metro.

Two years ago, the situation became so dire, BCM had no choice but to fence off heritage and tourism sites to protect them from vandals.

The East London City Hall, where the first Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings took place, is one of those sites now surrounded by a fence after statues of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Biko had been defaced several times.

The Multicultural Man at Heroes’ Park Garden of Remembrance at the Esplanade has also been targeted by those in search of scrap metal to sell. Most recently, cable thieves and vandals have been targeting the multimillion-rand Leighandre “Baby Lee” Jegels Recreational Park at Court Crescent.

Paving has been dug up to get to the cables underground while lamp posts have also been broken.

It is only a matter of time before vandals set their sights on outdoor gym equipment.

The cable theft along the beachfront is not new. Two years ago, residents were left in the dark when pavements were dug up and electricity poles stripped.

With the metro already millions out of pocket and the electricity department under strain from these criminal acts, it is important for the local authority to prioritise security and patrols, particularly at the East London beachfront.

Like the arrest of the alleged Biko grave vandal, the public needs to see action taken against not only those who destroy infrastructure, but those who buy the illegal goods for a quick profit.

The situation became so dire, BCM had no choice but to fence off heritage and tourism sites to protect them from vandals