Robert Sobukwe’s damaged grave. (Photo: Provided)
Robert Sobukwe’s grave was vandalized in “a shameful and cowardly act” just hours after the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), of which he was a founding member, held a “successful mass march” in the town that had just been named after him.
Mpisane Anelisa, the party’s spokesperson, says many people are against the name change and the incident is “definitely connected to the town’s name change”. The name change was gazetted last month.
The granite headstone has been broken off from the plinth and a photo shows broken pieces of granite at the foot of the grave. This happened a few hours after members of the PAC visited Sobukwe’s grave in the Kroonvale cemetery in the town on Wednesday. The Eastern Cape town was known as Graaff-Reinet until last month.
Sobukwe was also the first president of the PAC.
The party has submitted a complaint of intentional damage to property to the police and is calling for a quick, thorough and transparent investigation to be launched to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
The PAC confirms that a criminal case has been formally filed with the relevant law enforcement authorities and calls for a speedy, thorough and transparent investigation to ensure that those responsible are identified and brought to account. The party says the desecration of a national heritage site and a symbol of African resistance must be treated with the seriousness it deserves.
The grave before the vandalism. (Photo: Marco Longari/AFP)
Anelisa says residents who do not agree with the name change protested in large numbers in the town earlier this week. “This is a sign of contempt. Robert Sobukwe was a man who united people. This was done on purpose by people who do not want to see the name change.”
He says the march was held to reaffirm the unwavering commitment of the African people and to defend and preserve Sobukwe’s legacy, name and ideals. “It is deeply worrying that such an incident takes place at a time when the voice and vision of Sobukwe is being rekindled right across the country.
He believes the name change will boost the town’s economy. “This is for all residents of the town. We must not allow defiance to drive a wedge between residents.”
He says the PAC will continue to fight for unity. “Let us all unite. The name change is supposed to bring unity and dignity to black people.”
Sobukwe is regarded as someone who played a revolutionary role in the anti-apartheid movement.
Anelisa says that although they cannot say with certainty who was responsible for the vandalism, “we know who we are opposing”.
He termed it as a desperate act driven by insurgent forces who want to sow division and confusion. “It will not succeed. The legacy of Sobukwe is rooted in the hearts and consciousness of the masses and cannot be erased by acts of criminality and provocation.”
Also read: Uproar over Graaff-Reinet name change rages on
