Provincial heritage group Amafa has warned that robbers of military graves are threatening KwaZulu-Natal’s reputation among tourists as a battlefield destination.
Last week, the Intombi Camp Military Cemetery near Ladysmith, where Anglo-Boer War soldiers are buried, was plundered in search of relics.
According to Amafa’s James van Vuuren, thieves dug a 2m hole in the search for buttons and badges, but their efforts were in vain as the 40 or so soldiers buried at the site had been laid to rest without their personal effects.
Contractors hired by Amafa to maintain the area discovered the damage.
Van Vuuren said that this was not an isolated incident. Relic hunters got locals to dig up items to add to their collections. “From past experience, we know that there are relic hunters out there, who are prepared to pay a fair amount… It has happened lots of times over the past decade, but it’s the first time at this cemetery.”
Van Vuuren said that Amafa tended to at least 15 major cemeteries in KZN alone and that there were also several smaller gardens of remembrance. He said that the Skuinshoogte cemetery near Newcastle had been among those targeted.
Van Vuuren does not believe that full-time security guards are warranted, especially with the pressures on the agency. “We’re stretched for resources. Looking after the graves is not the priority although once a month a contractor comes in to maintain them. There is no person dedicated to security. We don’t have the budget to employ anyone.
“What this actually points to is that municipalities need to take responsibility for sites, which they benefit from as a tourist offering,” he said.
According to Van Vuuren, Amafa will need to fork out R2 000 for the damaged tombstone at the Intombi cemetery.
“It’s disappointing that heritage is not being taken seriously. Cemeteries are a tiny bit of what heritage conservation is about. They add to the tourism product of the province. We market the province as a battlefield destination. That’s where the threat is.”
Van Vuuren has appealed to anyone with information to come forward.
A reward is being offered to anyone with information that leads to a conviction. - The Mercury