Tombstones stolen, broken at cemetery

It is believed the suspects struck the cemetery in Block M, which used to be called White area.

Visitors to the graveyard during the Easter holidays found that part of the expensive tombstones and several other headstones had been stolen. Other gravestones were broken.

It is claimed most of the tombstones attacked were erected by the Modiba Funeral Parlour in Tembisa.

Ms Matilda Modiba, the spokesperson for the Modiba Funeral Parlour, said the news came as a shock.

It is thought the thieves were after the aluminium used to frame most of the stolen tombstones.

“We were unaware about the incident until one of our clients approached us. The client told us some of our tombstones had been stolen or broken in the cemetery. What confuses me is that the Mooifontein Cemetery has security guards at all gates. How could this happen without them seeing anything?” she asked.

Ms Modiba added that some families worked hard to raised funds for the tombstones.

“Some thieves then took advantage and brought more pain and heartache to the grieving families of those buried there. We want the police to bring the culprits to book, because many people use their last cent to erect these tombstones,” said Ms Modiba.

She also encouraged residents to visit the cemetery and check that all is in order with their loved ones’ gravesite.

Last week, the Tembisan also discovered several broken tombstone pieces lying being the Mashemong Primary School.

Some residents, at the time, thought perhaps family members had purchase new tombstones and did not need the old ones any more.

The Norkem Park SAPS spokesman, Captain Lesibana Molokomme, confirmed that a case of theft was registered.

“No arrests have been made and the case is still under investigation,” said.

A request for comment was sent to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM).

At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.