Vandals driven by revenge

2003-07-10 22:20

Cecile Greyling

Graaff Reinet - Family of Koos Malgas, the man who helped Helen Martins create the mysterious Owl House in New Bethesda for 25 years, appeared in court on Thursday after eight cement sculptures were vandalised on Monday night.

Inspector Johan Gerber on Thursday confirmed that Justin Malgas, 20, and Johannes Pieterse, 45, were formally charged with malicious damage to property and housebreaking.

Justin is the grandson of the late Koos Malgas and Pieterse is involved with Malgas's daughter, Magdalena.

Justin allegedly told hawkers outside the Owl House on Monday that he planned to so something terrible to the national monument because Martins, according to him, left the house to the Malgas family in her testament.

Martins committed suicide in 1976.

When the Owl House Foundation was formed to manage the unique house, Malgas was brought back to New Bethesda where he performed valuable restoration work until his death in November 2000.

Gerber said alcohol played a role in Monday night's events. Justin apparently said after his arrest that he was actually looking for a pick to cause more damage to the Owl House.

The two men allegedly broke into a coffee shop after damaging eight of the statues at the Owl House.

Gerber said missing goods to the value of R6 000 were found in Justin's home on Tuesday morning.

Mark Wilby, former curator of the Owl House, said Martins left the house to her cousin, who in turn donated it to the New Bethesda town council.

Martins and Malgas created about 250 sculptures.

The case was postponed to July 24.

- Die Burger