Vandals have destroyed an elephant sculpture in Durban, and damaged two more, apparently in search of scrap metal, according to the Sunday Tribune.
One elephant had been reduced to a pile of rubble, while another had a hole in the side where part of the wire frame was missing. The ears and tusks of a third elephant had been removed and its frame had also been damaged.
Sculptor Andries Botha and his legal counsel had written to the municipality ordering them to protect the site, the weekly reported.
The artwork was commissioned at a cost of R1,5-million as part of city beautification for the Soccer World Cup.
However, construction was halted after the ANC said the elephants symbolised the Inkatha Freedom Party, the newspaper reported.
Botha is still owed R250 000 by the city council. – Sapa