A huge banner bearing the faces of premier Phumulo Masualle and other prominent Eastern Cape struggle heroes was vandalised with red paint in Port Elizabeth at the weekend.
This comes as the ANC launched its election manifesto at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
The banner in Third Avenue in Walmer, close to the Port Elizabeth International Airport, forms part of a campaign meant to sell the province as the “Home of Legends”.
Red paint was thrown over Masualle’s face, and the word “Zuma” written below it.
Other words written below the 12 smaller faces of anti-apartheid struggle heroes are illegible.
Some of the faces included on the banner are of former ANC presidents Oliver Tambo, Thabo Mbeki and Nelson Mandela.
Mandela’s ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, is also pictured.
Others are the Black Consciousness Movement’s Steve Biko, Pan Africanist Congress founder Robert Sobukwe, Rivonia trialist Walter Sisulu and his wife Albertina, and slain Chris Hani, of the SA Communist Party.
A number of motorists stopped to take pictures of the vandalised banner yesterday.
Police spokesman Captain Johan Rheeder said a case of damage to property could be opened.
Provincial government spokesman Sizwe Kupelo condemned the defacing of the banner.
“As we approach the local government elections we call on all citizens in the province to promote tolerance, peace and development,” he said.
“This act is an insult to this hardearned democracy.”
He said the banner depicted several Eastern Cape struggle legends who sacrificed their lives to liberate the people of South Africa.
Nelson Mandela Bay municipal spokesman Mthubanzi Mniki said: “The painting of the banner is damage to property and it will be regarded and attended to as such. “The law will take its course.” Mniki was unaware whether the municipal safety and security directorate had opened a case.
The “Home of Legends” campaign was launched by former Eastern Cape premier Noxolo Kiviet in Mthatha in 2012.
Funding is sourced from various government departments, municipalities, and tourism and heritage agencies in the province.
‘Legends’ banner defaced
This comes as the ANC launched its election manifesto at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
The banner in Third Avenue in Walmer, close to the Port Elizabeth International Airport, forms part of a campaign meant to sell the province as the “Home of Legends”.
Red paint was thrown over Masualle’s face, and the word “Zuma” written below it.
Other words written below the 12 smaller faces of anti-apartheid struggle heroes are illegible.
Some of the faces included on the banner are of former ANC presidents Oliver Tambo, Thabo Mbeki and Nelson Mandela.
Mandela’s ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, is also pictured.
Others are the Black Consciousness Movement’s Steve Biko, Pan Africanist Congress founder Robert Sobukwe, Rivonia trialist Walter Sisulu and his wife Albertina, and slain Chris Hani, of the SA Communist Party.
A number of motorists stopped to take pictures of the vandalised banner yesterday.
Police spokesman Captain Johan Rheeder said a case of damage to property could be opened.
Provincial government spokesman Sizwe Kupelo condemned the defacing of the banner.
“As we approach the local government elections we call on all citizens in the province to promote tolerance, peace and development,” he said.
“This act is an insult to this hardearned democracy.”
He said the banner depicted several Eastern Cape struggle legends who sacrificed their lives to liberate the people of South Africa.
Nelson Mandela Bay municipal spokesman Mthubanzi Mniki said: “The painting of the banner is damage to property and it will be regarded and attended to as such. “The law will take its course.” Mniki was unaware whether the municipal safety and security directorate had opened a case.
The “Home of Legends” campaign was launched by former Eastern Cape premier Noxolo Kiviet in Mthatha in 2012.
Funding is sourced from various government departments, municipalities, and tourism and heritage agencies in the province.
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