Cemetery security a challenge for the city
Cemetery security is a challenge for the city.
Andrew Ngozo
Poor security at the city’s cemeteries has left graves vulnerable to vandalism and desecration, says the DA.
DA councillor Danie Erasmus said an inspection revealed shocking information.
“At Zandfontein, Mabopane and Ga-Rankuwa cemeteries, there is no security at night, in fact, not at any cemetery within the Tshwane metro. At some, not only are the graves desecrated but even the palisades are stolen,” he said.
Erasmus claimed there was evidence that suggested Pretoria West, Rebecca Street, Zandfontein and Silverton cemeteries were [thus] prone to satanic rituals.
“Criminals break the palisades to sell the bolts and nuts for scrap,” said Erasmus, adding that the graves of Dr Hendrik Verwoerd, Adv Hans Strijdom and Dr Andries Treurnicht had also been vandalised.”
Erasmus said the city was also neglecting old parks in favour of new ones.
“The grass in parks is not being cut regularly and the beautification of suburbs is lacking.
“For instance, at Pierneef Park, the play equipment was repaired and renovated in 2012 but the roof of the shelter, which was removed, has not been replaced,” said Erasmus.
Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the city was aware of the lack of security at its cemeteries.
“The problem has been reported to the metro police as the responsible department for security at city facilities. It is currently working on addressing this matter,” he said.
Mashigo said the environmental management services department (EMSD) was responsible for the development of new parks and the refurbishment of existing ones.
“Once EMSD has completed its job, the continuous upkeep of the park becomes the responsibility of the service delivery coordination and transformation management department, which maintains the parks,” said Mashigo.
He said the city was awaiting feedback from the regional office of the service delivery coordination and transformation management department on why old parks were not being maintained.
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