Metro continues to prevent erecting of tombstones in Mams
“We are pleading with the metro to get its act together because the number of families who want to erect tombstones for loved ones is growing every day.”
It’s almost two years later and Mamelodi families are still unable to unveil the tombstones for their departed loved ones.
The families have had to wait while Tshwane metro appoints a contractor to build berm strips between the graves.
The Kolobe family in Mamelodi East section SNS was forced to postpone the unveiling of three tombstones for loved ones set for October last year.
Spokesperson Johanna Makgatla said it has been a long wait, but they can’t do anything because Tshwane metro threatened it would confiscate tombstones erected in the interim.
Makgatla said the metro barred anyone from erecting headstones in Heatherley cemetery before it could build the concrete slab that strengthens the ground around graves.
She said the family had set a date for the unveiling for October last year for her two late brothers and mother.
The family said tradition dictated that tombstones be erected a year after burial and this ban prevented that.
Makgatla said two tombstones for Mamelodi West cemetery had already been made and only the one in Heatherley cemetery was outstanding.
She said the family buried their mother in May 2021 and it was time it honoured her by marking her final resting place.
“We were told the metro will confiscate the headstones and fine us,” she said.
FAMILIES FORCED TO POSTPONE TOMBSTONE UNVEILINGS
The family was forced to postpone the unveiling even though invitations had already been sent out.
“The headstone is paid for and ready to be erected, but we have been prevented by the metro with its empty promises since last year,” she said.
She added the metro announced last year, it had already advertised a tender for the construction of berm strips and hoped this will be finalised in the next few months.
Kolobe said it’s been months of waiting and the family was kept in the dark.
She said this problem affected a lot of families in Mamelodi and surrounding areas.
The family wondered how long it should wait for the metro.
The metro said given the sensitivity of the matter, in the interim, it was looking into utilising internal resources to clear the backlog before the tender is awarded.
Other families that have been affected by this include the Moyas and Khumalos in Mahube Valley, Mamelodi East.
Annah Moya (63) said the unveiling for her husband’s tombstone last year had been delayed.
She said her husband passed on in June 2020 and was laid to rest at Heatherley cemetery when she immediately started saving for and planning to lay the headstone for September 2021.
“The purpose of dedicating a headstone is to mark the final resting place for my husband and to easily identify his grave whenever we come to the cemetery,” said Moya.
She said she was told she could not erect a headstone because the metro had yet to pour the concrete slab on which the headstones are to be erected.
“Unfortunately we could not postpone.
“The pastor blessed the stone and returned home with it,” said Moya.
Mokgohlwe Khumalo (71) said the headstone for her husband had already been paid for yet she is unable to even set a date for the unveiling because of the metro.
“We are kept in the dark by Tshwane metro about the concrete slab lines but threatened with the seizure of tombstones, should we erect them,” she said.
“We are pleading with the metro to get its act together because the number of families who want to erect tombstones for loved ones is growing every day.”
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