Vengeance suspected in destruction of lighthouse

Transnet says business forum intimidated staff ahead of trashing of historic facility

● A 116-year-old lighthouse on a remote section of the KwaZulu-Natal north coast stands in ruins after being vandalised and stripped of vital equipment.

Suspicion has fallen on a local business forum after the destruction of the Cape St Lucia lighthouse, which belongs to the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA).

The damage to the lighthouse complex is estimated at R2m. It is about 2km from the wreck of the Italian cargo ship Jolly Rubino, which drifted ashore in 2002 after it caught fire off Richards Bay and was abandoned by its crew.

Alex Miya, acting executive manager for lighthouse and navigational systems at the TNPA, told the Sunday Times that TNPA employees had been doing maintenance at the lighthouse in June when they were “threatened and intimidated and forced to leave the site. It appears that members of a local business forum were unhappy about access to Transnet tenders, job opportunities and access to business opportunities in Richards Bay.”

Miya said it was unclear who was responsible for damaging the facility. The TNPA had reported both incidents to the police. The police did not respond to requests for comment.

“The TNPA visited the site on November 7 and found that the lighthouse and all buildings had been vandalised and stripped,” said Miya.

The lighthouse, which operated automatically, had been without a security service after the company responsible was liquidated.

“The TNPA is working to appoint a new security service provider for the site, as well as four other sites along the northern KwaZulu-Natal coastline.”

The lighthouse had already stopped working before it was vandalised.

Miya said the TNPA alerted the South African Navy Hydrographic Office in June that the lighthouse was not operating. He said the other four lighthouses along the northern KwaZulu-Natal coast are operational.

Hyman Greeff, the son of the last known lighthouse keeper, Japie Greeff, who was stationed at the site for 12 years, said he was devastated by the wanton destruction.

“I got tagged on Facebook a few weeks ago by an old school friend of mine. Her friends were walking along the coast. They went up to see the lighthouse and came across the destruction.

“It was pretty unreal to see it, knowing you stayed there for so many years and made so many memories. My late father got so many awards for maintaining that station, especially being so far away from civilisation.”

He said the trashing of the site “was almost pointless”.

“It sickens me to know that my father took so many years of pride and hard labour with his co-workers to make it one of the most beautiful lighthouses on the northern coast and now it’s in ruins.”

Local councillor Henning de Wet said residents of the area had recently alerted him about the damage.

“I am completely saddened and angered by this. I’m saddened that so many lovely memories were shared here growing up. I’m angered that the government allows this to happen to critical navigation infrastructure.

“I’m not aware of a business forum’s involvement, but in this area it is highly possible,” he said.

Mike Leicester, founder of Lighthouses South Africa — a website dedicated to the documentation of active and decommissioned lighthouses — said he was furious and saddened by the destruction.

“Though lighthouses don’t have the same importance as they did a few years ago, due to the use of modern GPS systems, they still serve as a visual indication of position and a warning of danger.

“This lighthouse was first established in 1906 … Any building older than 60 years is considered to be a heritage site or historical building in South Africa.”

Leicester said he will be pursuing the issue “with the appropriate authorities, for action to be taken”.

It appears members of a local business forum were unhappy about access to Transnet tenders, job opportunities and business opportunities

Alex Miya