Three people including two men aged 28 and 39 as well as a 32-year-old woman have been arrested after the Louis Botha statue situated at the main entrance of Parliament was vandalized.

At about 14:42 this afternoon, members of the SAPS spotted the trio who were in possession of a ladder, grinder and generator near the statue. Members of the SAPS moved in swiftly and managed to confiscate the items.  During a scuffle between members of the SAPS and the trio, one of the male suspects managed to spray paint as well as vandalize the statue with a hammer.

All three have been arrested and charged for malicious damage to property, resisting arrest as well as the assault of police officers.

Source: South African Police Service