A bust of former president Nelson Mandela is unveiled at Parliament on Monday. Picture: GCIS
However, the bust was returned to its position by Monday afternoon.THE bust of the former president Nelson Mandela that was unveiled in Parliament earlier this week was damaged early on Wednesday morning by a police vehicle.
President Jacob Zuma unveiled the bust on Monday to mark the 20th anniversary of when South Africa held its first democratic elections in 1994.
A statement issued on Wednesday by Parliament’s media office said secretary to Parliament Michael Coetzee was following up on Wednesday morning’s incident, which resulted in the right shoulder of the bust being "slightly dented and scratched".
An assessment of the damage to the bust was being carried out. It has been removed for repair and was expected to be back in its place on Thursday.
"Further details will be provided in due course about steps being taken to minimise future risk of damage to the bust," the statement said.
Parliament awarded the R2.6m emergency procurement contract to politically well-connected businessman Dali Tambo’s company Koketso Growth in January.
The bust was mounted on a plinth in an open area called "Staalplein" in front of the National Assembly building in the parliamentary precinct.
Many people have expressed concern about the location of the bust, which is in the middle of a road used by government officials and their police escorts.
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