Johannesburg – The majestic marble statues of the archangels and the altar at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Braamfontein have been vandalized.
Reports indicate that the statues were forcibly dislodged from their plinths and smashed on the ground on Thursday, 14 May 2026.
Leanne De Jager, a Democratic Alliance (DA) MPL in Gauteng, expressed her sorrow over the vandalism on Monday, 18 May 2026, stating that her party is “profoundly shocked and saddened by the senseless desecration of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Braamfontein.”
De Jager elaborated, “An individual reportedly burst into the altar of this historic church, violently dismantling the heavy marble statues of the archangels, damaging the altar, and hurling religious insults at congregants.”
The MPL highlighted that the Holy Trinity Church has stood as a beacon of faith, service, and community in the heart of Johannesburg since the Braamfontein Mission was established by Trappist monks in 1897, with the current building completed in 1938.
“This is not merely an assault on a place of worship; it is an affront to a shared heritage and sacred history that belongs to all South Africans,” De Jager remarked, serving as the DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation.
“The destruction of the archangel statues represents an irreplaceable loss of religious, cultural, and historical heritage that cannot simply be restored or replaced.”
“The DA urges law enforcement agencies to promptly apprehend the suspect and ensure that the full extent of the law is enforced.”
De Jager emphasized that acts of religious desecration and cultural vandalism have no place in a constitutional democracy that upholds dignity, tolerance, and respect for diversity.
“We call on civil society, faith communities, and heritage organizations to come together in denouncing all forms of religious intolerance and attacks on cultural heritage,” she stated.
As local government elections approach on 4 November 2026, De Jager highlighted that the DA is the only party committed to safeguarding South Africa’s religious, cultural, and historical institutions.
“We will prioritize the protection of heritage sites, enhance public safety, and uphold the rule of law,” De Jager affirmed.
“This commitment will ensure that places of worship and historically significant sites are preserved and protected for future generations.”
