Scrap metal dealers have been accused by Umzinyathi Mayor Petros Ngubane of stealing ‘war material’ and vandalising the historic grave site at Isandlwana, which was the scene of the 1879 defeat of the British by Zulu impis.
Mayor Ngubane was speaking at a provincial commemoration to mark ‘International Museum Day’ (May 24).
Ngubane also claimed that dealers had ‘taken the wheels of ancient wagons used by the British’.
He added that steps have been taken to fence off the battlefield area to protect the site.
Local guides say there’s ‘no war material left at the site at all and certainly not any wagon wheels’.
“Isandlwana, like so many other heritage sites in the area, has been targeted over the years by grave thieves and scrap metal dealers,” said local guide Johann Hamman.
“There has always been a fence around Isandlwana and it has always been in a poor state. And yes, because of this, cattle and goats do wander around.
“This has been the status quo for years.
“The truth is that nothing is being done.
“Maybe the mayor’s comments will prompt some action.
“But as for ‘war material’, that has long gone.”
The theft of scrap metal – especially copper – has sky-rocketed in recent months, with residents throughout the area reporting the theft of copper pipes, electrical cabling and other metals.
Even manhole covers are stolen.
Locally, copper is said to fetch around R90 a kilogram at scrap dealers.
Fellow guide Pat Rundgren said the site was fenced in many years ago because it is a nature reserve as well as an historic heritage site.
“The cattle are allowed to graze there in terms of a government / community agreement.
“After all, if the community gains some benefit for using the site, the reasoning is that the locals will help to protect it.
“I have yet to see a cow maliciously attacking a cairn – maybe just to scratch off a few ticks, but not with evil intent.
“In the previous pre-Covid stampede to steal anything metal, the tips of the ‘thorns’ on the Zulu monument were indeed sawn off, but once the thieves realised it was only made of cast iron sprayed with bronze, and not solid metal, they lost interest.
“The thorns are still truncated, as no effort has been made to repair them, but the monument has certainly not been stolen.
“Grave robbing has always been a problem from time to time, but that is an ongoing issue with which AMAFA (KZN Heritage Council) is dealing.
“Unfortunately, the ossuary at St Vincent’s Mission, where bones recovered from the battlefield were buried under the floor, has indeed been thoroughly vandalised.
“The roof sheeting has been stolen and the memorial plaque donated by the Dundee Moths has been smashed.”
