Vandals desecrate more than 100 graves in eMbalenhle
The Chris Hani Cemetery is no longer used for burials because it is full, and very few people visit it.
Ward 12 Clr Sidney Sihlalo expressed his concern over the ongoing vandalism of tombstones at the Chris Hani Cemetery in eMbalenhle.
Sihlalo told Ridge Times that he was shocked after receiving a call from a contractor last week, who said they could not access a sewer manhole inside the cemetery because tombstones were scattered all over the graveyard.
“At first, I thought the contractor was referring to two or three tombstones. To my surprise, when I arrived at the cemetery, the tombstones were everywhere, making it difficult for vehicles to access the site,” said Sihlalo.
He said the contractor needed urgent access to the manhole to drain the sewage that had spilt in the area.
“Because of the urgency, I called community members to help remove the tombstones from the road so that the truck could reach the manhole,” he added.
According to Sihlalo, they later discovered damage to over 100 tombstones. He suspects that a group or syndicate might be deliberately targeting graves at the cemetery.
“This is inhumane; cemeteries are sacred places in our culture, but what we are seeing is heartbreaking. These culprits are disturbing the peace of the dead. I don’t know their motive, but I suspect that they are cursed,” Sihlalo said.
He urged families with loved ones buried at Chris Hani Cemetery to visit the site and check on the condition of their relatives’ graves.
“The cemetery is no longer used for burials because it is full, and very few people visit it. Families should also report any vandalism to the police because damaging graves is a criminal offence,” said Sihlalo.
Govan Mbeki Municipality spokesperson Donald Green said the municipality was not aware of the recent incidents of vandalism at the cemetery.
He added that the municipality’s role was limited to maintaining cemeteries, while the protection of such public facilities is a shared community responsibility.
“We do not know who is behind these acts.”
Green also encouraged families to open cases at their nearest police station.
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