Animals wreak havoc at graveyards
Cemeteries in the municipality are under scrutiny again for issues of vandalism, theft, and maintenance.
The recent concerns stem from livestock damaging tombstones.
The animals gain access to the cemeteries through the vandalised fencing at the Tokologo and Mathaileni cemeteries.
Despite the municipality’s efforts to install gates and maintain security, newly installed gates have been stolen, palisades have been
broken, and public toilets have been severely vandalised.
Last week on their Facebook page, the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality called out residents about vandalisation, which costs the town thousands of rands.
Residents react
Lethabo Kgawane, who works in the tombstone industry, said it’s saddening to see the vandalism at the cemetery, “The dead are not being respected.”
He added that residents should also take accountability, “Some people steal, however, druggies don’t have bakkies to discard their rubbish outside the graveyard.”
Kgawane said the cemeteries that are no longer operational, such as the Tokologo and the Mathaileni cemeteries, are also not being maintained.
This has led to bogus fabricators stealing slabs from the graveyard.
Maureen Hayness, who also installs tombstones, said there has been a lot of damage to old and newly installed tombstones from animals recently, which is disheartening because families spend hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of rands to install tombstones for their loved ones.
Previously, DA PR councillor Morgan Bruiners also expressed concern about the theft of pavement bricks and a lack of ablution facilities at the Nasaret Cemetery.
Steve Tshwete Local Municipality
• Municipal spokesperson Lerato Kgomo said the municipality regularly maintains all cemeteries, and law enforcement officers patrol the graveyards.
She urged residents to call municipal law enforcers or the police when they see people vandalising infrastructure.
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