About three weeks ago, two graves were dug up at the Forderville Cemetery in Dahlia Road. The discovery of the dug up graves as well as the items found nearby has left the community up in arms and the affected families distraught.

READ THE STORY HERE: Chilling discovery made at Forderville Graveyard

Last Tuesday, one of the affected families met with municipal employees and police officers. The grave of the elderly woman was dug up to ensure her remains have not been stolen. According to the family, 30cm before reaching the coffin there was a yellow, oily substance, which apparently had a ‘curry-like’ smell.

Son of the deceased, Brendon Greaves, had to open the coffin and make sure the remains were still in the coffin.

“I am sick and tired of this, it is utter rubbish. This matter is being dealt with no sympathy and is being taken as a joke. I feel the worst part is I will have that decomposing image of my mother with me forever. Yes, I am relieved that my mum is in her coffin and that her remains have not been stolen, but is this the manner in which the municipality operates?” questioned Mr Greaves.

He is unhappy with the way the process was handled, calling it unethical. According to him, the area should have been cordoned off as it remains a crime scene, and that protective screens should have been out up for the family to be present but not see what is being done.
He added that someone who specialises in grave digging should have been present, with a health department representative and guidance counsellor.

“The people who had to dig up the grave were doing their job, but they should be wearing protective clothing, like gloves. They further contaminated the scene. All our questions remain unanswered,” explained Mr Greaves.

Responding to Mr Greaves’ concerns, this was an official report released by the Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality on the matter:

“On June 16, KSA (the security company) brought to our attention that there were two graves that were dug up at the Forderville cemetery. The South African Police Service (SAPS) was immediately informed of this shocking, unusual incident. The municipality strongly condemns the digging up of the graves with the highest contempt it deserves.

No person should ever be disturbed in his or her resting place. Graves are something that must be respected at all times. We believe that the families of the loved ones that were disturbed by these culprits’ unethical activities were present when the forensic team confirmed that the bodies were still in their resting place.

We fully understand the frustration and pain that these families have went through after this discovery but this is now a police case and the matter is under investigation. We have confidence in our SAPS unit and it is our wish that these culprits be caught and arrested.

In everything that has happened, we would like to state that there was no exhumation that was done at any stage. If it is alleged that there are people who did that, then they must be reported to the SAPS. It is an offence to exhume any human remains without obtaining the necessary lawful permission.

As the municipality, we will commit ourselves to tightening security at all our cemeteries, with fence and light.
We have security guards at our cemeteries during the day ONLY, which is something that we need to look at again.”

The investigation of this case is on-going.

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