MORE than two years after raising concerns about the deterioration of the field guns outside the Durban City Hall, the municipality has made no move to restore the historical monuments despite assuring residents they would be repaired.
Speaking to Berea Mail, the resident, who asked not to be named, said at the time of the article in Berea Mail two years ago, everyone was ‘gung ho’ and said the field guns were going to be repaired. “I was there about two months ago and they were in an even worse state. Another of the steel hoops for the wheels had been stolen and no repairs have been carried out,” he said.
He also raised the question of what was being done regarding the investigation into the theft and recovery of the bronze plaques at the Cenotaph.
ALSO READ: Cenotaph theft investigation still underway
“I wonder what is happening with replacing the panels that were stolen. Hopefully some of the recovered ones can be repaired and be reinstalled,” he said.
Responding to the questions, eThekwini Municipality’s Spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela, said: “The field guns were captured and used during the war in South West Africa when South African forces liberated that colony from Imperial German rule. The colony was placed under League of Nations Mandate. The Union Defense Force placed the guns under custody of the City of Durban for display, flanking the new City Hall. The eThekwini Department of Libraries and Heritage have taken stock of all our heritage assets that require major repairs and these two field guns form part of the heritage resources they seek to restore. The Department is working closely with the South African Military History Society and SA Legion on the project.”
The City did not provide an update on the investigation and reinstallation of the stolen panels.
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