Samantha Vieira is upset about the state of the Thomas Titus Nkobi Cemetery in Elspark.
She visits the cemetery once a month to visit her father’s grave to cut the grass and clean the tombstone.
“I have made several attempts to leave some sort of plant there, but it always gets stolen or hacked,” she said.
“I recently returned home in tears after a visit to the cemetery due to what has happened to the surrounding tombstones in my father’s and grandparent’s section.”
A number of flowerpots had been smashed and tombstones vandalised and broken.
Samantha said she contacted a woman who is apparently the manager of the cemetery but she said she was on leave and didn’t appear concerned about the damage to the tombstones.
“I am also in close contact with a person who services the grounds of surrounding cemeteries.
“This person told me that they frequently find bodies of people who are killed in the night at the cemetery and staff are often traumatised by what they find,” said Samantha.
She wants to know why stricter security measures are not in place to prevent vandalism in cemeteries.
“I have previously tried to bring this matter up with the councillor of the area, with no positive outcome,” Samantha said.
She is also upset about the lack of maintenance and grass cutting at the cemetery.
“When the grass starts to grow, the groundsmen neglect the grass until it is extremely high.
“Every single time I have been there, no matter what time of day, they are sleeping under a tree, or have friends visiting and loud music blaring.
“The only area that is cut is the area around Chris Hani’s grave and the Walk of Remembrance,” Samantha said.
A number of areas of the cemetery have been vandalised and Samantha feels this is possibly the most disrespectful act towards the deceased and their loved ones that she has encountered.
Themba Gadebe, spokesman for the metro said, “The cemetery is maintained by a contractor on a weekly basis.
“The maintenance includes litter picking, emptying the dustbins, road sweeping, weeding the flower beds and pruning the trees.
“During off-peak season, which is June until September, the contractor carries out the maintenance on Mondays and Fridays.
“During peak season months the contractor carries out full maintenance which includes grass cutting and removal of debris.
“Peak season starts in October and ends in May.”
Themba also told the GCN that the cemetery has two security officers, day and night, at the entrance and that there is no record of any bodies of murder victims being found at the cemetery.
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He added that the cemetery and crematorium by-laws make it clear that the council cannot be held liable for damage to or theft of memorial work.
With regard to the staff being uncaring Themba said, “We strive for excellent service delivery at the cemeteries.
“Should we receive details – date, time and staff member’s name, a follow-up can be done to address alleged attitude or behaviour by the relevant supervisor or manager.”
Themba said that with regard to vandalism of tombstones the metro had similar incidents in 2014 where staff apprehended a homeless drug addict for vandalising tombstones.
“The SAPS were called and took appropriate action and people can also call the EMPD,” Themba said.
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