EThekwini Municipality Proposes Relocating Vandalized Warwick Elephant Statues to Suncoast Beach Amid Security Crisis

EThekwini plans to relocate Andries Botha's vandalized elephant statues to Suncoast Beach for security. Artist warns of sea air corrosion. Read the full history.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 25, 2026, 4:54 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Independent Online

Vandalism and Neglect at Warwick Junction Drive Relocation Plan

The four life-sized elephant statues at Durban’s Warwick Junction, a 2010 FIFA World Cup legacy project, have been reduced to skeletal frames after persistent attacks by vandals. Municipal spokesperson Mandla Nsele confirmed on April 25, 2026, that the city is finalizing plans to move the sculptures to a more secure site adjacent to the Suncoast Casino. The current site alongside the N3 freeway has proven indefensible; vandals have repeatedly ripped open the galvanized steel frameworks to spill the interior rocks, leaving the artwork in a state of decay.

Artist Challenges Waterfront Location Over Corrosive Risks

Andries Botha, the internationally acclaimed artist behind the statues, has voiced strong opposition to the Suncoast Beach proposal. Botha argues that moving the metal-and-stone structures closer to the ocean will expose them to saline corrosive elements, potentially shortening their lifespan. He maintains that the statues would essentially need to be rebuilt from scratch. Botha remains a staunch advocate for the Warwick site’s historical significance, noting that the junction marks the spot where the last elephant in the Durban area was killed during the colonial era.

A Legacy of Political Interference and Legal Battles

The history of the "Durban Elephants" is one of significant political friction. In 2010, the project was halted by local politicians who claimed the three elephants resembled the logo of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). Botha successfully challenged this in the Durban High Court, leading to a 2013 settlement where a fourth elephant was added to distinguish the art from political branding. DA Councillor Andre Beetge recently criticized the city's failure to protect the R1.6 million investment, describing the decaying statues as a "lasting reminder of political interference and failed governance."