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Chris Hani's grave vandalised

Investigation team told 'to leave no stone unturned in investigating this incident so that the perpetrators are put behind bars — where they belong'

The grave of struggle icon Chris Hani has been vandalised, causing R23,000 worth of damage, the Ekurhuleni municipality said on Wednesday.  

“[Municipal] employees reported that Hani’s tombstone had been defaced, and a dent that looks like a gunshot on the top right hand corner has been engraved on it,” said mayor Mondli Gungubele in a statement.  

The desecration was “senseless”.  

Police were informed and an investigative team was instructed to look into the matter, he said. “Actually, I have instructed our investigation team to leave no stone unturned in investigating this incident so that the perpetrators are put behind bars — where they belong.” 

The municipality set aside R23,000 to fix the gravestone and it was expected to be back in place within three weeks, before the Hani commemoration event begins in April.  

“Chris Hani was a peace loving politician, a selfless leader who put the interests of all South Africans ahead of his own and those of his family...It therefore defeats all logic that someone would be so intent on showing such disrespect to such a great leader.”

The SACP visited the graveside to inspect the damage and said in a statement: "The SACP and the Hani family are highly angered and deeply offended by this sacrilegious act carried out by unknown forces".

"What is more disturbing is that this seems to be a calculated act to target former SACP leaders as we discovered at the beginning of last year that the tombstone of the late Cde Joe Slovo was vandalised as well."

The party said it hoped the culprits could be brought to book soon, and added: "No amount of derision will erase from our collective memory the gallant role played by Comrade Chris Hani and what he represents".

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