The City of Ekurhuleni’s MMC for Environment Resources and Waste Management Services Clr Makhosazana Mabaso condemns in the strongest terms the criminal acts of vandalism that recently occurred at the Vosloorus cemetery.
According to metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe, the city’s cemetery officials have opened a criminal case of malicious damage to property at the Vosloorus police station and an investigation on the matter is ongoing.
It is alleged that the perpetrator might have gained access into the cemetery through the vandalised fence at night and smashed the tombstones, as the cemetery gates remain locked at night.
Mabaso has extended her deepest sympathy to the families and the community members affected by this incident and pleaded with the families to come to the cemetery to check the status of their loved ones’ graves.
“I am deeply shocked and saddened by this heinous criminal act. A cemetery is a peaceful final resting place for our loved ones and it should be treated with respect and dignity. We will not allow criminal activities to prevail in our facilities, and we are working with law enforcers to get to the bottom of this situation,” said Mabaso in a statement.
Thabiso Molefe from Vosloorus came to the cemetery to check on his father’s grave upon hearing about the news of vandalism on social media.
“I came as soon as I heard the news. I am very sad to find that my father, uncle and grandmother’s graves have been badly vandalised. Now, I will have to go and report the bad news to the family and work on fixing all of them,” said Molefe.
Mabaso visited the families affected by the vandalism, and engaged the community to assist in protecting public facilities such as the cemetery. She also called on the community to report the criminals to law-enforcement agencies.
“The protection of public facilities is a societal responsibility. The City’s responsibility is limited to the up-keep of the cemeteries and provision of protection that is sufficient for such sacred facilities. Break-ins at cemeteries is a new, unexpected phenomenon.”
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