FF+ councillor Johan Smit said that the cultural history of Kimberley was being carried away by thieves.
THE FF+ HAS condemned the vandalism of the Diggers’ Memorial Fountain statues at the Oppenheimer Gardens, where the arms of the diggers were ripped off during loadshedding this week.
Members of Phoebe’s Green Team cleaning project were alerted to the vandalism by car guards on September 28.
FF+ councillor Johan Smit said that the cultural history of Kimberley was being carried away by thieves.
“The bronze statue that serves as a landmark at the Ernest Oppenheimer Gardens was designed by Herman Wald.
“The five diggers’ represent the five diamond mines – Kimberley, De Beers, Bultfontein, DuToitspan and Wesselton mines. It is a tribute to the back-slogging work of diamond diggers and served as a tourist attraction.
“Unfortunately the price of bronze is high and is recognised by vandals. The diggers’ sieve was stolen a few years ago. Pieces of the sieve were retrieved and were handed to the police as evidence.”
Smit stated that one of the diggers’ was removed on September 27 where a cleaning team noticed that the arms were broken off on September 28.
“We urge the municipality to safeguard its cultural assets.”
