All of the Jewish graves in the Wellington Jewish Cemetary have been vandalised, and authorities are now offering an R10 000 reward for any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects.
As reported by IOL, the Drakenstein Municipality will be erecting a boundary wall around the cemetery to deter any further incidents.
Out of the 50 graves at the cemetery, 39 are Jewish, and they were the only graves targeted with the vandals damaging the tombstones.
Director of the Cape SA Board of Jewish Deputies Stuart Diamond said that the Jewish community is appalled by the attacks. “Under our constitution, South Africa belongs to all who live in it, who are to be treated with dignity and an acceptance of difference – the same dignity and acceptance should be extended to all who have died in it,” he said. “We ask that the Drakenstein Local Municipality, businesses and charitable organisations join us in embracing our anti-bias campaign called No Place For Hate. Let us make the Western Cape no place for hate for all who live and die in it.
A case of malicious damage to property has been opened, but no arrests have yet been made.
Anyone who has any information can anonymously contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or SMS Crime Line on 322111.
Picture: Pixabay