Walls of remembrance at Braamfontein Cemetery destroyed by callous vandals
Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries shocked at large-scale destruction of final resting places for loved ones across the city.
The walls of remembrance, where the ashes of loved ones are kept at Braamfontein Cemetery, have been largely destroyed.
Vast sections of the beautiful and tranquil site have been smashed, emptied, or otherwise interfered with.
Wendy and Rodney Hendry rushed to the cemetery, after seeing social media reports of the destruction to see if the resting place of their baby boy had been affected. “We were devastated when we saw the pictures posted by the Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries (FOJC). We are so relieved that Mark’s grave is intact, but to see the mass damage to so many others is heartbreaking.”
The FOJC was founded by Sarah Welham to research, explore, and restore Johannesburg’s historic cemeteries. Her eyes welled up when she described the seemingly inexplicable and pointless destruction of these sacred spaces.
“I am in a state of disbelief. We regularly do maintenance on the ash walls and clean the plaques. I can’t believe it. We will have to work out which plaque goes where and somehow cement them back into place.”
“It is due to the negligence of City Parks that this has happened. There are security guards at night, but they have not been fitted with any equipment to ward off intruders. It is pitch dark at night and they are afraid. It is also a 20-hectare cemetery.”
The cemetery is run by Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ). Media relations spokesperson Noeleen Mattera said, “The City of Joburg is saddened by the extensive damage and desecration at the Braamfontein Cemetery, due to ongoing acts of vandalism.”
The damage at the Braamfontein cemetery is apparently the largest seen at a cemetery run by the city. “This cemetery holds the remains of loved ones from as far back as the early 1800s,” said Mattera.
She said damage to other structures, burglaries, and theft of steel fencing, or engraving on tombstones and aluminium structures continues to be a challenge.
“Regular patrols by JMPD, JCPZ Park Rangers and police face challenges of displaced persons who return to the cemeteries as soon as the next day.”
Zolile Mpophoma, senior horticulturist, cemeteries and crematoria, said the grave desecration was first discovered on March 17. “The vandalism occurred in a dark isolated area, where patrols are not undertaken at night.”
“Plans are afoot to engage the Department of Social Development regarding vagrancy and homelessness at cemeteries. The Human Rights Commission, law-enforcement agencies, media, ward councillors, funeral parlours, and general members of the public are called on to promote and endorse active citizenry.”
Mattera encouraged family members whose loved ones have been laid to rest at the cemetery to visit and ascertain whether any damage has occurred to their final resting place and to report it to the police.
“JCPZ is not responsible for reporting such matters. Disclaimer notices placed in cemeteries state that JCPZ is not responsible for damage and theft of tombstones. We call on the media fraternity, Friends of Cemeteries and interested organisations to assist in curtailing the indignity and pain caused by these acts of vandalism and the effect it leaves of lasting scars to families.”
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