The South African Police Service have confirmed the arrests of the three suspects including two men aged 28 and 39 as well as a 32 year old woman after the Louis Botha statue outside parliament was vandalised on Wednesday, 12 March 2022.

The trio were reportedly spotted by members of the SAPS today afternoon in possession of a ladder, grinder and generator near the statue thereafter a scuffle embroiled between the suspects and the police with one of the male suspects managing to spray paint as well as vandalize the statue with a hammer.

“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,” the SAPS said.

“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,” added the SAPS.

The SAPS have also confirmed that the three suspects have been arrested on multiple charges including damage to property, resisting arrest and assaulting police officers.