INVESTIGATIONS into the theft of bronze plaques from the cenotaph at Francis Farewell Square outside Durban City Hall are still ongoing, says the city’s deputy head of Communications Mandla Nsele.
The stolen plaques were discovered shortly before the Remembrance Day commemoration ceremony in November 2017. Berea resident, Jeremy Hurter, who visited the cenotaph recently said he was shocked by how much destruction the theives had caused and questioned what progress had been made into the investigation. “I believe they did recover some of the plaques but some were cut up. Are there any plans to reinstate them? Quite a bit of time has elapsed since the theft last November, and if they want them in place before 11 November this year, they will have to get moving,” he said.
Responding to a query by Berea Mail, Nsele said: “The matter is still under investigation by police, therefore the square is regarded as a crime scene. We cannot tamper with evidence so repairs will be done once the process is complete. However, we have set aside funds in the budget for all the plaques in the War Memorial to be repaired in the new financial year.”
READ RELATED: Vandals strip historical cenotaph of brass plaques
At the time the theft and vandalism was first discovered, Godfrey Giles, national president of the SA Legion of Military Veterans said it showed no one respected the symbols of remembrance of people who fought for freedom. Some of the plaques were found at a scrap merchant and eight people were arrested.
Some of the plaques were cut up and damaged and Giles said the Legion was not sure if the plaques would be repaired or whether they would have to replace everything. He said fortunately there were photos of the plaques, so there was a record of what was recorded on them.
Nsele said Imvula Security currently provided 24 hour security services to Francis Farewell Square to prevent any further theft. “In the new financial year we have budgeted for CCTV cameras to be installed at the Square, the old swimming pool site and the fountain site at Medwood Gardens,” he said.
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