Plans afoot to privately wall graveyard due to security concerns
Members of the community are outraged after recently learning of yet another act of vandalism and theft that took place at the Laudium cemetery.
A number of steel framed name gravestones, were stolen from the Muslim section of the cemetery, bordering a vacant ground, west of the cemetery. More steel palisade fencing between the vacant ground and west of the cemetery was also stolen, in addition to a number of water taps yet again stolen and electric wires from the light poles also taken. A number of aluminum windows from the Muslim prayer hall have also recently been stolen and once again reports of mourners being attacked, have resurfaced. A heap of the name gravestones were found smashed up in pieces on the vacant ground, with the steel frame and pins missing. In addition, the graveyard is plagued with nyaopes, who harass family members visiting the graves of dear ones, asking for money, with the council security turning a blind eye.
The matter has been raised previously by concerned residents, but the latest incident of theft and vandalism has got the community up in arms. This followed a number of concerned residents, led by Ismail Essa (Smiley) approaching Councilor Essop to urgently engage the relevant authorities to take decisive action in putting an end to the ongoing problems at the cemetery. A working committee was formed amongst those who complained and both the CMB and PMT Burial Committees were invited to be a part of it. Ismail told the Laudium Sun, “Our priority is to have the cemetery walled, but the council does not have a budget to do that, so we have proposed that the council at least reduce the grave charges, in order for us to go to the community to raise money for a wall. We are waiting for quotations and will revert to the community soon thereafter. We want to thank Councillor Essop, Nava Pillay, MMC Dana Wannenburg and their team for meeting us and listening to our pleas”. Councillor Essop told the Laudium Sun, “The community is fed up with the crime and grime at the Laudium Cemetery. I requested an urgent meeting with MMC Wannenburg and Nava Pillay and their teams, to address the issues of the residents, which was held at the cemetery on Wednesday. Besides the crime and vagrant problems, there were also issues of maintenance that were raised by the community, such as non- functioning lights and the filthy state that the graveyard is in. We found the cemetery in an unacceptable condition. There were even a number of beer bottles and dead rodents spotted. I have asked Ismail Essa, to form a working committee, so that the concerns of the residents regarding the cemetery, can be dealt with in a unified and organized manner. Due to the Council’s budget constraints, the committee will unfortunately also have to assist in certain matters, with the approval of council”.
Patrick Sopela one of the helpers at the graveyard, told the Laudium Sun, “This morning, when I came here, I was very shocked and disturbed when I saw many graves were damaged. I think it is these nyaope boys, who took the steel from the headboard of the graves and went to sell them. It is very unfortunate that the bad acts from these guys, are putting us in a very bad situation, because most of the people who come here and see us, usually help us with money or food, because we clean the graves of their loved ones. But now, if they find the graves like this? They will not differentiate between those nyaopes and us, and this will make us lose our piece jobs. These nyaope guys, even stole the fence that is supposed to protect the cemetery. It is really impossible now to protect the graves.”
Fatima Bibi Ebrahim, said, “My father’s grave name plate was also stolen. We need to be honest about what is going on at the cemetery, let alone about the council officials at the Laudium Cemetery office. They are not helpful, are rude and have an attitude. When you go to the office looking for help, they don’t even talk to you or try to help you. It’s like they are forced to work there. No professionalism, no interest. As for the graves being vandalized, I think, it is these nyaope guys hanging around here. They are very irritating. The moment you get out of your car, they jump toward you and demand to help you with water. If you say no, they then demand money. If you say no again, they hassle you and laugh at you in a condescending way. They want to help us by force, even if you have someone with you. I think it is because we as Muslims often give them money or food. So now, there is that expectation to always and whenever, give them money. I think that there should be a committee formed to specifically deal with all the problems facing the community at the graveyard, otherwise, this cemetery will become a place that no one can visit alone anymore.”
Silvia Mofokeng, the official at the Laudium Cemetery office, refused to comment on the allegations made by Fatima.
