SECUNDA – Niches in the remembrance wall at the Secunda cemetery in which cremated remains are sealed, have been vandalised.
Ms Marie du Plessis said her mother, Ms Joey Meyer (92) was recently very upset when she visited the wall where her husband’s remains are kept.
“Most of the brass fittings and picture frames on the plaques in sealing up the recessed compartments were ripped off. We found my father’s photo on the ground,” said Ms Du Plessis.
Several plaques were also broken and whatever had been stored inside, was removed.
The local AfriForum chairman, Mr Jan du Plessis (no relation), said on Friday, 18 January, that vagrants have easy access to the cemetery, because the fences around the cemetery and the gates have not been maintained and are now non-existent.
“Drug addicts often mix the cremated remains with substances such as Nayopi,” he said.
Mr Du Plessis led a team of volunteers to clean up the cemetery last year. They cleaned out the drains and repaired the toilets.
“We wanted to repair the ceilings and windows in the office and do basic repair work, but everything has deteriorated since we were here last. The new pipes we fitted for the toilets were ripped out and carried off.
“Basic equipment such as shovels have been stolen from the office and since our last visit, more copper wire has been ripped out off the ceiling.”
His team has decided to withdraw from this project until a solution can be found to keep the vandals and vagrants out of the cemetery.
