Lerato Mbangeni
JOHANNESBURG: A group of people wearing ANC caps brazenly defaced a statue of Mahatma Gandhi that stands opposite the party’s Johannesburg offices in Gandhi Square yesterday.
This occurred on the day a bust of the Indian peace icon was unveiled in Hanover, Germany, by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The group drove into the square at around noon in a dark-grey Renault hatchback and jumped out carrying tins of paint and placards that read “Racist Gandhi must fall”.
They threw the white paint on the bust, then left, only to return an hour later with more paint in plastic bags to make it easier to throw.
They also defaced a nearby plaque that contained information about the work Ghandi did in the country by rubbing paint over it.
As the group tried to flee, one of them was caught.
“He dropped a set of keys and fell behind the others. We managed to catch him, but he wasn’t worried or afraid,” said Ntandazo Khwephe, from Top Ten Security.
“I’m used to seeing him around the ANC offices. He said he’s not worried because he’ll just make a call and his leader will get him out of prison. He was relaxed and said they know what they’re doing. They said we shouldn’t stop them because Gandhi was a racist,” said Khwephe.
ANC spokesman Keith Khoza said last night the party condemns the attack and does not believe members would partake in such an act.
“It’s not possible for anyone from the ANC to deface any statues because we have been clear on the matter.
“We have stated that any people who have problems with statues should engage in direct discussions with the community in the area,” said Khoza, who added that it could be the work of impostors.
“Anyone could wear ANC merchandise. We condemn whoever was arrested and call for police to do their duty,” he said.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Kay Makhubela said the arrested man would be charged with malicious damage to property.
“The 21-year-old will appear in court on Monday (today),” said Makhubela.