Vandalism causes serious damage to Wellington Wall of Remembrance

Serious damage was caused to 62 of the 70 occupied niches in the Wall of Remembrance in Wellington on Monday, according to Drakenstein Municipality.

The cremated remains stored in the niches were removed following the incident.

The marble stones covering the niches bought by the aggrieved families were shattered, and many were completely defaced. However, the municipality has not yet provided further details regarding the extent of the damage or the status of ongoing investigations.

While the municipality is taking reparative action, which includes assessing the damage and engaging with affected families to offer support, officials were able to recover 36 of the niches’ cremated remains at the site. 

“These are now in safekeeping at a municipal facility. The remainder of the cremated remains could, however, not be located,” the municipality said in a statement.

Stephen Korabie, the mayor of Drakenstein Municipality, has condemned the vandalism and said they will be consulting the community on the best practices suitable for the final resting place.

“As the municipality continues to engage with the affected families, we will embark on a public participation process to discuss possible courses of action for the future of the Wall of Remembrance to ensure a dignified and lasting solution,” said Mr Korabie.  

The perpetrators are not known at this stage, and no arrests were made.

Police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg, said a malicious damage to property case was registered for investigation and that “the circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.”

The Wall of Remembrance has 360 niches, altogether, at the Wellington Cemetery.