Potentially dangerous graves to be discussed

The controversial subject of the graves that may pose a health threat should the site of the old Rietfontein Tropical Disease Hospital be developed, is the subject of the next evening talk of Modderfontein Conservation Society.

The meeting takes place at Modderfontein Town Hall at 1 Casino Road on Thursday, February 18 at 7pm.

An illustrated talk by historian Naomi Dinur will focus on the proposed development of the site (now Sizwe Hospital) and the graves of those who died there from infectious diseases. Photographs by society member John Cruickshank will complete the presentation.

The hospital was built on the farm Rietfontein in 1895 to care for patients with serious infectious diseases, notably bubonic plague, smallpox and anthrax. Many died there from these dreadful ailments and were buried on the site. Dinur estimates there are about 6 000 graves.

Originally, Rietfontein Hospital stood alone in a remote location, a full-day’s cart-ride from the centre of Johannesburg, established that far away as a safety measure against the smallpox epidemic sweeping the town.

Now, the area is scheduled for development and society member Janet Brodrick speculates on the possibility of a horror scenario with construction releasing millions of anthrax spores. “An epidemic?” she asks. “We are told this is a possibility.”