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The bust housed at the top of a flight of steps at the Rhodes Memorial shows Rhodes with his arms folded. His right hand now cups what would have been his cheek - only with most of his face and head missing.

Lauren Clayton, a spokeswoman for South African National Parks in the Western Cape, said rangers patrolling Table Mountain came across the disfigured bust during regular patrols on Monday.

The incident likely occurred on Sunday (July 12) night or Monday (July 13) morning, she added. She said no one had claimed responsibility.

Statues across the world, from Africa to the United States and Europe, have been defaced or topped in recent months by those who see them as glorifying racist or exploitative figures.