Anti-vaxxers diss kramat: New heritage site defaced
VANDALISED: Holy Shrine of Sheigh Nurul Mubeen in Oudekraal Nature Reserve. Picture supplied
Vuilgat anti-vax vandals have defaced a Muslim kramat just a week after it was declared a provincial heritage site.
The Cape Mazaar Society (CMS) has condemned the act of vandalism at the tomb of Sheikh Nurul Mubeen at the Oudekraal Nature Reserve during the early hours of Saturday.
Caretakers found messages protesting against Covid-19 vaccines spray-painted with purple paint on the pristine white walls of the building.
The words “Agendada 2030 wake up humanity” were painted on the walls and were removed early yesterday morning.
The message could be referring to the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 which envisions among others a secure world free of poverty and hunger, access to quality education, universal health coverage and an end to environmental degradation.
The vandalism comes a week after 10 kramats in Cape Town were marked as heritage sites by the SA Heritage Resource Agency (Sahra).
And while the attacks do not seem to be a religious attack, the CMS has expressed their shock and outrage at the defilement.
Chairman Mahmoud Limbada told the Daily Voice: “This looks like the work of Covid anti-vaxxers. This is not the work of religious zealots. They should not use the Kramats to forward their agendas.
“The Cape Mazaar Society condemns this delinquent act in the strongest terms. We pray that these perpetrators come to their senses.”
He said a case of vandalism has been registered at the Camps Bay SAPS, while he has also asked for anybody with information to come forward.
“We are already in the process of restoring the Kramat, we appeal to anyone with information to please contact the CMS on 074 722 2814 or Camps Bay SAPS on 021 437 8150.”
Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith, confirmed more than one building has been vandalised.
“The attacks were all over, I myself drove that road on Saturday and saw quite a few buildings tagged with anti-vaxxers messages. These type of acts cannot be allowed and it is completely unacceptable, disgusting and stupid.
“From our initial investigation, it looks as if the act was conducted by the same person and it was in no way directed at the kramat.”
According to heritageroutes.co.za, in 1716 Sheikh Nurul Mubeen was exiled from the Indonesia and banished to Robben Island.
According to oral tradition, he escaped by swimming to the mainland where he was found by slave fishermen and hidden on the mountainside.
He is said to have secretly acted as Imam to slaves and nearby farm workers at the site where he was buried.