Arrest, prosecute vandals of plaques from freedom fighters’ graves

MOROGORO: MINISTER for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Professor Palamagamba Kabudi, has directed the relevant authorities to arrest and prosecute those involved in stealing plaques from the graves of freedom fighters and soldiers who died during the World War I.

Speaking recently during a visit to the Dakawa cemetery in Morogoro, Prof Palamagamba said that these sites are protected by law under the Protected Areas Chapter 74, which carries a penalty of imprisonment.

“If two or three individuals are caught and sentenced to 30 years in prison for damaging stones with no value other than commemorating the fallen, others will take notice,” Prof Kabudi said.

He urged citizens to respect the cemeteries and refrain from vandalising the plaques that bear the names of the deceased, adding that the graves are made of stones, ordinary cement and paint and that the plaques are not meant for sale.

“I’m sure those who have broken the plaques did not find a buyer, but they have wasted their effort, putting themselves at risk of arrest, destroying an important part of history and showing disrespect to the nation,” he said.

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Minister Kabudi further directed that each grave be photographed to create a visual record and sketches of all the graves be made for preservation.

He said that visitors from South Africa frequently come to visit the graves of their ancestors, only to find the plaques damaged.

According to Prof Kabudi, the government is working to designate some of these cemeteries as United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites.

“Our goal is to include these areas in both the international and national heritage lists, such as Dakawa, Mazimbu, Kongwa, Mgagao, Bagamoyo and Nachingwea,” he added.

He noted that once the sites are included in the international heritage list, tourism in Tanzania would increase, attracting more visitors to explore and appreciate the country’s rich historical heritage.