Family demands answers after tombstone for someone else erected on their loved one’s grave
The Magadla family are in need of help to find the family that erected a tombstone on their grandfather’s grave.
Fikile Magadla of Thubelisha in Kwa-Thema is seeking answers after discovering that someone had placed a tombstone belonging to another person on her grandfather’s grave at Old Kwa-Thema Cemetery.
Speaking to African Reporter, Magadla said that she noticed the tombstone on her grandfather’s grave in July and then went to Vlakfontein cemetery, where the office is based.
She explained that she realised this while preparing to install a tombstone for her grandfather, Allen Mandi Magadla.
She added that she went to get the details of the family that erected the tombstone, but the details were not available.
“The offices in Vlakfontein are the ones that verify and give families permission to erect tombstones.
“So we were told the books with the records are old and some details are missing,” said Magadla.
Magadla also raised concerns about why the records are not digitised, as the writing in the books is fading.
She believes they made the mistake, as her grandfather’s grave is listed as H instead of J row.
“Usually there are alphabet boards near the graves that show the families where their loved ones are buried, but they are missing, which has allowed for such mistakes to happen.
“I think as part of the maintenance of the cemeteries, the City of Ekurhuleni should replace them because when we go there to visit, we see other families get lost because there are no alphabet boards,” said Magadla.
She shared that the tombstone she ordered is in storage but only until October.
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Magadla noted that if she does not get help from the family that erected the tombstone, she will be forced to put the tombstone on their loved one.
“I will have to change the names on the tombstone because it has my grandfather’s name, so now, not to lose money, we have to put it elsewhere,” said Magadla.
She appealed to the family that erected the tombstone to come forward and find a solution, as their details are in the cemetery office books.
Anyone with information regarding the family can contact Magadla on 078 557 8407.
An enquiry was sent to the city about what families should do in such situations, why records are not digitised, and why the boards near graves are not replaced as part of maintenance. We will publish their response as soon as we receive it.
