Sad to see cemetery looking so terrible

Ladysmith Cemetery is in a sorry state, and local residents say it’s getting worse all the time. Dense vegetation covers graves and families going to pay their respects to loved ones find themselves having to move rubbish and overgrown grass to get to the tombstones.

People are disgusted with the state of the cemetery and would like to know why the premises is in such a terrible state of disrepair.

A Ladysmith Gazette journalist paid a visit to the cemetery and was also shocked to see that the majority of graves had not been cleaned.In fact, in many instances, you couldn’t even see that a grave was there, with long grass covering the area and sometimes no tombstones at all.

“This should be a top priority for the municipality. Not only are they getting paid to do it, but they need to have respect for the dead,” said one concerned resident who often goes to put flowers on a loved one’s grave.

Over the years, the size of the cemetery has been extended and therefore requires a lot of care and attention. People spend money to make the graves of those who have passed on look presentable, only for tombstones to be callously vandalised on a regular basis.

Another suggestion many have put forward is that a security guard should be placed at the cemetery to put an end to vandalism and ensure that the area is safer to visit. This is especially the case at night. “I really hope our cemetery gets the attention and care it needs. I know a graveyard is for the dead, but it’s important for the living as well,” added the resident.