By Anita Dangazele
- Damage was found at Robert Sobukwe’s grave on Wednesday morning, just days after supporters marched for renaming Graaff-Reinet after him.
- Police are investigating under the National Heritage Resources Act, and the family has opened a criminal case over the attack.
Robert Sobukwe’s grave was vandalised, with damage found on Wednesday morning. It came just days after a Saturday march in support of renaming Graaff-Reinet as Robert Sobukwe Town.
Sobukwe’s grandson Mangaliso said the vandalism has been happening for years.
“Previously, we didn’t understand what it was about, but now it looks like someone is opposing the march at the weekend,” he said.
Mangaliso said the family has opened a criminal case. Eastern Cape police are investigating desecration or damage of a grave under the National Heritage Resources Act.
Graaff-Reinet was officially renamed Robert Sobukwe Town on 6 February. Four other towns were also renamed, including East London, now called KuGompo City, and Aberdeen, now called Xamdeboo.
The renaming has caused deep division. The Freedom Front Plus (FF+) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) have called for the decision to be reversed. Scores of residents also marched against it two weeks ago.
Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) leader and land reform minister Mzwanele Nyhontso led Saturday’s march and called the attack disgusting. He said it was shocking that Sobukwe was still being persecuted 50 years after his death.
Nyhontso said the vandalism would not stop efforts to honour Sobukwe. He said he would take the matter to the heritage council and push for the grave to be rebuilt so it is harder to damage.
Sport, arts and culture department spokesperson Andile Nduna said the department would work with other stakeholders to assess the damage and restore the grave with dignity. He said the act was deeply disrespectful.
Sobukwe was the founding president of the PAC and led the 1960 Sharpeville anti-pass law protests.
Pictured above: Robert Sobukwe’s vandalised grave in Asherville.
Image source: Supplied
