‘Vandals’ nabbed at historic home
Arrests welcomed but much still to be done to save Coega farmhouse
THE vandalism hampering the restoration of the once-majestic 19th century Hougham Park estate could be a part of history with three suspects caught red-handed last week. This is according to Coega Development Corporation spokesman Ayanda Vilakazi.
He said the arrests on June 10 were a direct result of increased security patrols at the split-level house built in 1828 for Hougham Hudson, Port Elizabeth’s first civil commissioner and resident magistrate.
Zwelephemba Zekani, 23, Masixole Hlangane, 26, and Phumlani Heshu, 28, appeared in the Motherwell Magistrate’s Court the following day on a charge of malicious damage to property. They were released on warnings.
Vilakazi said the men were allegedly in the process of breaking into Hougham Park farmhouse to remove roof sheeting.
“We certainly are delighted that the implementation of our approach is bearing fruit and we’ve managed to act swiftly and decisively in the process of renewing the historic farmhouse,” Vilakazi said.
He had previously said restoration of the ever-deteriorating state of the historic structure had been halted to avoid further theft.
But the restoration would now proceed after the arrests.
“The longer-term use plan incorporates mechanisms for restoration, coastal conservation, heritage management, enforcement, historical interpretation, recreation and plant rescue,” he said.
“The details of the plan will be workshopped with interested parties and the first focus group meeting will be called within the next four weeks.”
Jennie Bennie, vice-chairwoman of the Historical Society of Port Elizabeth and secretary of the Eastern Cape Historical Organisation, said at the very least the CDC needed to install clear-view fencing in the interim to avoid further damage.
“During the initial assessment report [in 2010] only five sites were marked as being of historical importance, Hougham Park being number one, which the CDC agreed to maintain.
“And just because they caught these three [alleged] vandals doesn’t mean there aren’t many more waiting in the wings.
“My concern is that the structure may be beyond repair, which could have been avoided as it was in a pretty good condition about five years ago.”
Johannesburg resident Janet Drysdale, 68, whose cousin David Crews owned the home before it was taken over by the CDC in 2007, visits family in the Bay annually. She said she was happy the suspects had been arrested, but was sceptical whether it would resolve the vandalism issue.
“Don’t get me wrong, I am very happy they have managed to hopefully prevent further decay of the building, I am just concerned about whether these are the only vandals.”
Police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge said the matter had been postponed to July 26.