Australia to investigate looting of Boer War graves

Australia will investigate claims that century-old graves of soldiers who died during the Boer War in South Africa have been looted, the country's government said today.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Dana Vale ordered the probe after receiving reports that valuable stones, plaques and crosses had been taken from the graves but did not say where the reports originated.

More than 600 Australians died fighting alongside British and other Commonwealth forces in the 1899-1902 conflict against the Boers in present-day South Africa.

Vale said the protection of the graves was the responsibility of the British government.

A spokeswoman for Vale said an independent report on the condition of the graves would be compiled for the Office of Australian War Graves.

“The minister has asked the director of the Office of Australian War Graves ... to investigate measures to ensure these veterans continue to be honoured and remembered,” the spokeswoman said.