Africa-Press – South-Africa. The ANC in Gauteng says it is saddened Chris Hani’s gravesite, memorial and Walk of Remembrance in Ekurhuleni have been vandalised.
On Monday, the party said the vandalism at the Thomas Nkobi cemetery in Boksburg happened during a difficult moment in South Africa’s history, following a ruling of the Constitutional Court which ordered the release of his killer, Janusz Walus.
The ruling inspired the “collective rage” among South Africans who disagreed with it, said ANC spokesperson Lesego Makhubela.
Makhubela added it would encourage further racial divisions and embolden those who regarded Walus as a hero.
He called on the Ekurhuleni Municipality to protect the national heritage site and for the police to arrest those behind its destruction.
In a joint statement, the national ANC, Cosatu, and SACP, of which Hani was a leader, said the vandalism of Hani’s grave was like a continuation of his assassination from the grave.
“The vandalism at the Chris Hani memorial is not simply a case of destruction of infrastructure, but the destruction of protected national heritage that serves as both a site of memory and a resource for the preservation of an important component of our country’s liberation history,” said Makhubela.
City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Mzwandile Dlamini said the incident was reported on Monday morning, and it had been referred to the metro police for investigation.
Dlamini added the timing of the incident was concerning as it came after the apex court’s ruling.
He said vandalism would not erase Hani’s legacy.
“Such incidents are extremely regrettable. The City is doing its best to preserve its rich heritage, but there seem to be people out there who are hellbent on ensuring this does not happen. Our people should take pride in such facilities, instead of destroying them.”
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