Sakhile Ndlazi
PRETORIA: After the much talked about paint job that Oom Paul Kruger and his two sentries underwent during the weekend, the City of Tshwane, together with the National Heritage Foundation, decided to restore the monumental burghers in a clean-up operation yesterday.
An architect from the Department of Public Works assessed the damage to the statues and said the paint was still relatively wet; he warned that the city needed to move swiftly before the sun came out on an otherwise cloudy day.
The architect, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “The bronze statues per se are not such a problem, but the stonework is quite porous and could pose a challenge.”
Throughout the day, inquisitive people took photos of the vandalised statues.
City of Tshwane media liaison officer Lebo Matji said: “The cleaning operation is expected to last until Friday because of the delicate process.”
Cecilia Kruger of The Heritage Foundation said: “The first stage of the clean-up involved pure water from a high-pressure steam cleaner.”
Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Monday claimed responsibility for defacing the statue .
“Yes, the EFF in Tshwane has taken responsibility for (it),” said party spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.
“The EFF calls on the city to remove the statue with immediate effect and substitute it with a different statue.”
But Tshwane spokeswoman Matji said: “The public have been helpful. We have photos of the culprits and footage from the Church Square surveillance cameras. The case is being handled by the police.”
Matji said there would be a public debate on April 24 regarding Oom Paul’s future.
Leader of the Front National Party (FNP) Hannes Engelbrecht said: “I wish my countrymen would stop destroying history. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
A protest would be held today at Church Square by the FNP and Steve Hofmeyr. “We want to hand in a petition with 11 000 signatures condemning the removal of the Paul Kruger (statue),” said Engelbrecht.
Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa said: “We encourage citizens to engage in consultative community conversations to find solutions.”
Pretoria Catholic Archbishop William Slattery said: “Paul Kruger may not appeal to many, but he did play a role in the establishment of this city. He too was eventually bullied and exiled by imperial greed.”