eMbalenhle family questions why stranger’s tombstone is now on father’s grave

Mr John Mahlangu was buried at the old eMbalenhle gravesite at the crossroad section.

According to Mr Sipho Mahlangu, a family member, they first noticed activity around the grave in October when they wanted to clean around the grave, but only to find that grass around it was removed.

“Last year, I went to my father’s grave to clean up, but then realised that someone had already removed the grass.

“I thought it might have been by another family member.”

Mr Sibeko said they were still planning to erect a tombstone on his father’s grave.

“Imagine our shock when we discovered a tombstone with the surname Sibeko at the head of my father’s grave.”

The Mahlangu family requested the Sibeko family to come forward to resolve the matter.

“Perhaps they know something that we don’t,” said Mr Mahlangu.

Mr Mahlangu said their father bought a piece of land at the old eMbalenhle cemetery for where all the family members are to be buried.

The Mahlangu family now pleads with the Sibeko family to remove their tombstone, because the Mahlangu family believes their ancestors do not like what is happening.

Mr Mahlangu said his father, Mr John Mahlangu, will not rest in peace as long as the tombstone is not removed.

“We even went to the Govan Mbeki Municipality about this issue and we were told there are no records for the name on the tombstone.

The municipality told us to search for the family and try to resolve this ourselves. We were planning to do a traditional ceremony but now we need to wait until the matter is resolved because we cannot kneel at a grave and call our surname but the tombstone says another surname,” said Mr Mahlangu.

The Sibeko family can contact Mr Sipho Mahlangu at 063 3138 188 or 076 814 7687.