Boer war memorial vandalised

VANDALS searching for “treasure” have damaged a Boer War memorial site near Dundee in KwaZulu-Natal.

James van Vuuren, deputy director of Amafa, the provincial heritage watchdog body, said the Elandslaagte Battlefield – which was erected by citizens of the Netherlands in memory of volunteer Dutch Corps who fought for the Boers during the Anglo-Boer War of 1899 to 1902 – had been damaged.

“This battlefield is an evocative place to visit because it is little changed and it is possible in the silence to imagine the fury of the battle. Whoever damaged the memorial seems to be under the mistaken impression that there is treasure buried underneath,” Van Vuuren said.

“At least two memorials are vandalised in this way every year, causing us costly repairs. Any information leading to a conviction will be rewarded,” he said.

He said the war graves at the Winston Churchill capture site at Chieveley and graves at Schuinshoogte Battlefield near Newcastle, were also regularly dug up by vandals.

“Many of KwaZulu-Natal’s battlefields, located mostly in undeveloped rural areas, have survived remarkably unchanged.

“They contribute to the province’s living heritage as descendants of combatants on both sides regularly visit them to pay homage.

“They provide an exciting outdoor history classroom for thousands of pupils every year,” Van Vuuren said.

Amafa has appealed to anyone with information about vandalism to call 035- 870-2050/ 1/2 or the police.

Source: Sowetan (http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=1154731)