Vlakfontein Cemetery haunted by criminals

Theft and vandalism has left residents with nowhere to relieve themselves when they go to Vlakfontein Cemetery to bury family and friends.

The cemetery, which is located in Dunnottar and serves the Kwatsaduza community and surrounding areas, has been targeted in several incidents of petty and serious crimes.

Head of cemeteries in Ekurhuleni, Harriet Bless said the vandalised toilets were only repaired in the 2013 financial year, and cost over R200 000.

The thieves wanted the copper pipes inside the toilets and basins and destroyed the ceramic to reach them

Harriet said they are very concerned about the crimes as they seem to be happening more frequently despite 24 hour security at the premises.

The latest incident occurred over the long weekend (June 14 to 16), when a truck stolen from the cemetery was recovered in Mpumalanga with only the battery missing.

Harriet added this follows another incident on May 31, when their trucks were stripped and tyres stolen as well as diesel drained from all the trucks.

She said after the tyres were replaced and kept in the storeroom close to the security guard house, they were amazed to find out they had disappeared again.

Harriet added that they had their hands full with swing bins being stolen, including during the day, but now the modus operandi appears to be of a higher level and getting out of control.

She said Vlakfontein is a beautiful cemetery, and appealed to the community to report crimes, adding that the criminals don’t have a limit to what they steal inside the yard, including gravestones.

Duduza station commander Lieutenant Colonel Louise Droskie said the only information they could trace were cases of theft from a motor vehicle, opened in June.

Droskie added that no suspects had been arrested, and said they will be unaware of criminal occurrences unless they are reported.

He is unable to say whether the is an increase in crime at the cemetery or not.