Metro fixes headstone mix-up

Cherry Erfurth of Northmead is finally relieved after the Ekurhuleni metro removed a tombstone incorrectly erected on her son’s grave.

In May, Benoni City Times reported that Erfurth found the tombstone for another child on her son’s grave on March 5 when visiting it at Lala Ngoxolo Cemetery in Crystal Park.

She said the wrong tombstone bore the name of Chiedza Mokgope (August 12, 2008, to February 14, 2010), while the mementoes the family had cemented into the ground at the grave of her son, Torlquin Martino Joubert, were scattered around the cemetery.

The Benoni City Times saw WhatsApp messages between Erfurth and an official at the cemetery.

He admitted the other family put the tombstone on the wrong grave, adding that they did not have a permit to erect it and may have done this illegally and after hours.

The mother had fought for many months to have the tombstone removed, but nothing happened until recently.

According to Erfurth, the metro took action after Benoni City Times published her story.

“I am happy they removed it, but I also feel the municipality is not taking responsibility for what they put me through.

“Someone did not do their job, and everyone is now covering for everyone. I’m still asking myself, did they bury this child on top of my child? Are they sure it’s my child in this grave?” asked Erfurth.

She said she did everything to find the child’s family, including posting on all social media platforms and even phoning hospitals.

She said she would start saving to replace the two damaged angel sculptures and marble slab engraved with her son’s name.

During a visit to the cemetery, the Benoni City Times found the wrong tombstone abandoned outside the municipal offices.

Ekurhuleni metro responds

Metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said officials had engaged one of the affected families and had provided a detailed report on the situation, including a way forward.

“We are still in the process of finding the family that installed the [wrong] tombstone.”

When the Benoni City Times asked if families were monitored when erecting tombstones at the cemetery, Dlamini said that before installing a tombstone, the installer must go to the office, and an official would identify the grave.

Requirements for erecting a tombstone on a grave:

• An application is made to the council on the form prescribed by them, accompanied by a plan of the proposed work, showing all dimensions, specifications and positioning of the work, as well as inscriptions.
• Submit the application no later than two days before the work commences and the council must approve it.
• Application to carry out memorial work can be made by the family or a contractor on their behalf where the family has authorised the contractor to apply.
• Except when provided otherwise, memorial work is at the cost of the person applying to carry out the work.
• All memorial works shall be strictly in accordance with the plan approved according to the by-laws.
• Work on a memorial shall not happen on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays or between 16:00 and 07:00 on weekdays.
• All memorial work must be carried out subject to the directions and approval of the cemetery officer and may not be carried out when soil conditions are unsuitable in the opinion of the cemetery officer.
• The cemetery officer must ensure the work complies with the minimum specifications set by the cemetery.

Also Read: By-laws on cemeteries and crematoriums; know it whilst still alive

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