A grave was left almost uncovered when its walls collapsed after heavy downpours at the Breyten Cemetery on 11 February.
According to a distraught resident, this was not the first time his family had a horrible experience.
He said they paid for a grave to be digged, but it was dug too small for the coffin’s size.
The family had to widen the grave for the casket to fit.
However, a day later the walls gave way, apparently due to the rainfall.
In desperation, the family contacted the ward councillor, who said he was unable to assist and referred them to a unit manager.
They approached the said manager who in turn informed them that there was no TLB to assist them nor was their any staff able to help as it was a Sunday and they would have to work overtime.
The family resorted to building a brick wall to make sure the body of their loved one remained sealed.
Mr Mandla Zwane, spokesman of Msukaligwa Municipality, said: “A grave remains the property of the ones who obtained the rights to it.
“As a diverse society with different religions, the family remains the custodians of the grave and has to ensure that proper maintenance is done and it remains in a good condition.”
He said this is to avoid infringing with religious beliefs and constitutional rights of the family of the deceased.
According to Mr Zwane, the family should report this incident to both the coucillor and the relevant department responsible for the daily operations of cemeteries.
Read the complete article in the Highvelder newspaper.
