The culprit blamed his actions on being under the influence of alcohol
The man who vandalised the tombstone of former diplomat Norman Mashabane was sentenced to one year in prison or a R2,000 fine by the Phalaborwa Magistrate's Court on Friday.
Francois de Vos, 35, pleaded guilty to vandalising the grave earlier this year, Limpopo police spokesman Gerald Mashiane said.
He told the court he was under the influence of alcohol when he and six others committed the crime.
He was initially arrested with three men accused of planning to bomb the residences of ANC leaders, plant bombs in townships and bomb buses transporting black people. His case was later separated from theirs.
Mashabane was the former South African ambassador to Indonesia.