MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Mossel Bay Police are searching for the people responsible for breaking the 22-year-old stained glass windowpanes of the Reformed Church in Heiderand.
The panes are the work of late Mossel Bay glass art legend, Wim Klapwijk.
Paul Lubbinge, one of the dominees of the church, said church members had first noticed a few panes had been broken about three weeks ago.
He said that at first, three or four panes were broken. However, by Wednesday, the total number broken was 30.
Klapwijk a Mossel Bay resident, was well-known for his love of glass and for building the Romanza boat.
His daughter, Zandra Klapwijk, who now owns Klapwijk Glass, said all the stained glass windows of the church were handmade by her father from 1992 to 1993.
She said he developed his own abstract stained glass technique and made a total of 525 glass panes for the church.
The broken panes.
Zandra added that, "being a very religious man, he was closely involved with the establishment of this church and the cornerstone was dedicated to him".
She said he spent most of 1992 to 1993 "on this labour of love" for the church.
Lubbinge said the piece of glass Wim had signed, on which was the date he completed the panes, had also been broken.
He said he suspects the stones were thrown to break the panes late in the evenings and has urged anyone who has any information on the culprits to come forward.
The glass panel signed by Wim Klapwijk in 1993.
Zandra said that over the years, she had been blessed to paint and fire about 35 panes to replace vandalised pieces and would be honoured to make more panes to replace the ones that had been broken most recently.
"This is a legacy which my dad left me, which I can lovingly honour to keep his church windows restored," she said.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies says Mossel Bay Police are investigating a case of malicious damage to property.
If you have any information that could help police with their investigation, contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Leoni Petersen (044 606 2823 or 079 893 9937).
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