After a legal battle of many years, AfriForum succeeded in ensuring the preservation of the Winburg concentration camp cemetery by way of a settlement with the Masilonyana Municipality, which was made an order of the High Court. The order requires a rehabilitation plan to be compiled within 60 days to protect the site. The Municipality must also clean up rubble that was deposited in the area, maintain the site and the road leading to it, and also see to it that illegal grit digging in the area is ceased.

According to Alana Bailey, Deputy CEO of AfriForum, the court order was a victory for heritage preservation in the country. “This site is of national and international historic significance. It is a shame that the Municipality was able to disregard its responsibility to such an extent that legal action was the only way to save it from destruction,” she said.

The cemetery dates from the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) and consists of memorials, graves and unique tomb stones of victims who perished in Winburg’s concentration camp, as well as British soldiers.

Bailey emphasised that local, provincial and national authorities countrywide were doing less to preserve existing heritage sites. AfriForum views the court order as of great importance because it serves to remind all authorities of their legal responsibility to preserve South Africa’s cultural-historic heritage.

“AfriForum trusts that the court order will be adhered to without failure, but will still monitor the situation,” Bailey said. “The greatness of a nation is measured by the manner in which it honours the memory of heroes from the past. So far, Winburg’s concentration camp cemetery is an example of what should not be done. Hopefully, the court order will be a turning point in this regard, and will the Municipality and the community cooperate in future to repair and maintain the site.”

Issued by AfriForum