Desecration of memorial continues

Vandals continue to deface the memorial and disrespect what it stands for while others use the surrounding area as a slaughter site.

Rituals conducted at the monument are impacting on local residents. They either have to contend with noise or items used during rituals placed against their boundary walls.

Mrs Lornette Joseph, I Love Kensington Association (Ilka) chairperson, has called on authorities to put measures in place to protect the monument and ease residents’ frustration.

“Residents often complain about the state of the monument. There are a number of vagrants on the koppies and people who make a noise and get involved in other activities. There is complete disregard for our heritage. Residents and children from local schools conduct clean-up operations but it is disheartening when the area is messed again soon after,” she said.

The Scottish Horse War Memorial has suffered at the hands of vandals for years.

In 2010 the EXPRESS reported that the lightning conductor on the back of the cross was missing.

Someone also chopped a hole at the bottom of the monument. Residents believed thieves assumed there were items of value in the monument.

At the time, Ms Lee Cahill, a Kensington resident from the Joburg Advocacy Group (JAG) which was still active at the time, was working closely with the city to restore the monument.

Ms Cahill said she fought for the restoration because it was essential to preserve history.

This memorial is a replica of the one erected on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle in Scotland.

It commemorates all officers and men from the Scottish Horse Regiment who were killed in action, died of wounds, disease or by accident during the South African Anglo-Boer War in 1901 – 1902.

It is one of Johannesburg’s earliest war memorials overlooking the site of one of the largest remount camps of the Anglo-Boer War, 1899-1902.

It was not long after the restoration that vandals tackled the memorial again.

Last week Mrs Joseph said the city should consider solar lighting and fencing the area around the memorial to prevent further desecration. She also said SAPS should patrol the area regularly.

“If lighting is installed residents will be able to see what is going on. We understand that it is too expensive to fence the entire koppie but surely authorities can find solutions. We can get involved as well. If council installs solar lighting maybe we can also contribute. Officials need to meet us half-way. Residents also struggle to report problems. They are transferred from one department to the next and there is no action taken in the end. Council must explain procedures, tell us who is responsible and who to contact,” said Mrs Joseph.

Mr Itzkin, the deputy director of immovable heritage at the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), was disappointed to hear about the state of the memorial.

He said that the city invested a lot of time and money in the memorial’s restoration. Mr Itzkin said that installing a fence will cost a fortune. He also believes that fencing will be stolen and sold as scrap metal. “The community must mobilize and take ownership of the monument. People should take back their open spaces and get help from the relevant authorities,” he said.

Clr Carlos da Rocha, ward 66, said he is concerned about the crime and other incidents taking place at the Scottish Horse War Memorial and all other open spaces. He said he will request that Jeppe SAPS members patrol the area regularly. “A full proof solution is to fence these areas but this is not possible,” he said.

Brigadier Govindsamy Mariemuthoo, Jeppe SAPS station commander, said officers under his command do patrol all open spaces in the precinct. He advised residents to attend the Jeppe Community Police Forum and sector meetings. “People can raise their concerns at these meetings and they will be addressed,” he said.

Clr Da Rocha said a public meeting will be held soon to address concerns with all open spaces in his ward. He and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) officials had on-site meetings to discuss possible solutions recently.

Ms Unathi Mguye, from JCPZ, said park rangers conduct frequent patrols along the Kensington koppies and in surrounding areas. She said the number of homeless people using open spaces throughout Johannesburg is a concern. According to her, JCPZ involves all role players when conducting removals from open spaces however displaced people return soon after. People are requested to contact JCPZ with information on issues in open spaces relating to displaced people. Call 011 712-6655.