Gunshots at Westpark Cemetery a growing concern
WATERVAL – This burial-related 'tradition' has started to set its feet firmly at Westpark Cemetery.
A peaceful A Re Sebetseng clean-up at Westpark Cemetery on 21 April took a noisy turn when gunshots were heard nearby.
Just after 10am, a large group of people had gathered at the top of the cemetery and some started drifting their cars.
Drifting is a driving technique where the driver intentionally oversteers around a corner. This was, according to a bystander, in honour of a fellow ‘drifter’ that would be buried that day.
Apparently, a person in the group let off a few gunshots. It is unknown whether the shots were blanks.
Members of SCP Security were at the cemetery along with clean-up volunteers when the shots went off.
It seems gunshots going off at the cemetery is not uncommon at all and Clive Maher, the company’s director, said law enforcement officials have been warned and engaged about this on several occasions over the past two years.
“It is very disturbing at what goes on at the Westpark Cemetery of late. It seems to be getting worse every weekend,” he said. “Most of the attendees are drunk and hanging out of the vehicle windows and sunroofs. Vehicles are driving into oncoming traffic and making a double road a one-way road.”
Maher is concerned that this behaviour could end up costing a life.
Oscar Plange, the chairperson of the Northcliff Residents Association and Ward 88 councillor candidate, was also at the cemetery, volunteering with his family when the shots went off. He was concerned about the safety of volunteers.
“This is an official gathering where people try and help,” he said. “The least the City can do is to ensure the safety of people here.”
Plange said the police called when the drifting started but they only arrived much later at about 11am, soon after the group had dispersed.
Sophiatown police spokesperson Warrant Officer TJ de Bruyn said there was no case opened.
“But it is illegal to fire a firearm in a public place,” he said.
He confirmed that this kind of incident had happened before at Westpark Cemetery, normally as part of a funeral.
“It is still illegal, however. With military funerals, special permission needs to be given.”
De Bruyn said the shooters needed to realise that the projectile comes back down and that with forensic investigation, the source could be determined.
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