As more and more local residents are getting fed up with the growing crime and grime in the area, authorities are seemingly not bothered about their concerns and politicians are keeping a low profile, as elections are still far away.
One of the areas being neglected by the local Council and police, is sadly the Laudium Cemetery. Instead of the cemetery being a place where one can pay their respects to their dear ones in peace, the cemetery has become an eyesore with long grass and filth all around, and mourners being constantly harassed by nyaopes, who demand money after forcefully throwing a little water on the grave of a dear one, whilst one is praying there. The place has also seen a lot of pedestrians using the graveyard as thoroughfare to the nearby Itireleng informal settlement. Crime is the order of the day with many people being attacked while praying at the graves of their dear ones. A large part of the fencing at the graveyard has been stolen over time and even a number of brass name plates and taps have been stolen. Beer bottles, dogs walking at graves and nyaopes lazing away on benches meant for the elderly, are some of the disturbing sights that visitors to the Laudium Cemetery have to endure. Discussions in the past, by a Muslim group of concerned role-players from within the community, with MMC’S and council officials, appealing for council to attend to the proper upkeep of the cemetery and to provide safety for those attending, has not yielded much progress.
However, despite previous setbacks, the group is determined not to give up, due to the sacred importance the cemetery holds. Hence, Ismail (Smiley) Essa who heads the concerned group, which includes Ahmed Ismail (CMB), Faizel Moosa (PMT) Shakeel Amod (Muslim Watch) and the Ward Councillor, told the Laudium Sun that most members of the group met this past Tuesday with the security company, responsible to guard the cemetery. “We raised our concerns with the security firm on various issues, including the crime inside the cemetery and the allowing of undesirable elements into the cemetery. We have also decided to meet with role players from other religious groups, who also use the cemetery for the burials of their dear ones. We can only resolve the challenges we are facing if we stand united as one community.”
Shakeel Bhaktawer from the Ward Councillor’s office added, “We appeal to all interested parties concerned about the Laudium Cemetery, to attend a meeting at the Laudium Cemetery this coming Wednesday (Oct 5) at 11am, to discuss the way forward regarding the upkeep and security of the cemetery.”
