'Enough arms to raze Soweto'

2005-01-14 13:31

Pretoria - The director and two curators of the SA National Museum of Military History were arrested on Thursday night for stockpiling working weapons and military vehicles, the museum said.

The museum's acting director, Sandy Mckenzie, said that museum director Major John Keen and a male curator were taken to Kameeldrift police station in Pretoria while a female curator was being kept at a Johannesburg police station. All three were expected to appear in court on Friday.

"Police and the SANDF have accused us of stockpiling weapons as if we were preparing for a war," said Mckenzie.

"It is our function as a museum to collect and preserve such artefacts in working order. Are we then also guilty of stockpiling medals, flags, badges and uniforms?" she asked.

Military intelligence and police raided the museum in Saxonwold, Johannesburg, after receiving information that "war-capable weapons and vehicles" were being stored on the premises.

The operation's spokesperson Fani Molapo said according to military records the vehicles, which were exhibited inside the museum, had been destroyed.

Police said over 1 000 illegal firearms would be confiscated. Six tanks were also removed.

Mckenzie said Arts and Culture Minister Pallo Jordan, and departmental director-general, Itumeleng Mosala, arrived at the museum - which falls under the department - after hearing of the raid.

'Enough weapons to raze Soweto'

"The department has been incredibly supportive of us during this entire incident," Mckenzie said.

"The director-general and their attorney Mr Witter were up past midnight last night trying to arrange bail for the three," she said.

The R20 000 bail a person would be paid by the department.

"We were told by military intelligence that there was military equipment that was not supposed to have been at the museum because it was in working condition," Mosala said on Thursday night.

Mosala said on arrival at the museum, police and SANDF members took them to rooms where they demonstrated the weapons and vehicles to be in working condition.

"According to those guys, the number of weapons being kept there could raze Soweto within two minutes," he said.

After demonstrating the weapons to the minister and director-general, the police arrested the director and two curators.

Mckenzie said Keen was at Pretoria Eye Hospital undergoing surgery after his retina had completely detached.

Keen had undergone surgery on his retina on Wednesday and was prescribed bed rest.

"Upon hearing of the drama at the museum, he went there and was also arrested. After his arrest, he was taken to the hospital under armed guard."

- SAPA