100+ tombstones vandalised & about 500 graves are unidentifiable as a result

Dobsonville Heritage Foundation members are concern that they are unable to locate the whereabout of original records of people who were buried at Juliwe Cemetery (Roodepoort West Cemetery) between 1920-1959.

According to the foundation spokesperson Sandile Ntwasa, originally people from Dobsonville were forcefully removed from Juliwe Township now called Horizon View suburbs in 1955-1964.

“I use to stay at number 41 Raborife Street in Juliwe Township in 1950’s. Our families, extended families and parents are all being buried at Juliwe Cemetery.

“We don’t know the whereabouts of the records of the deceased who are buried in Juliwe Cemetery.

“People of Dobsonville couldn’t revisit families members buried at Juliwe Cemetery because of Group areas Act,” said Ntwasa.

He said more than 100 tombstones are being vandalised, about 500 graves are unrecognisable and the entire cemetery is not barricaded. “I personally don’t know the grave of my late father because his grave is now unrecognisable.

“We tried several times to get records of the people who were buried at Juliwe Cemetery from the authority without success.

“People who trespass the cemetery often gets mugged by thugs,” added Ntwasa.

He said they want records of the buried people at Juliwe Township Cemetery between 1920-1959.

“Apartheid government stopped us from burying people at the cemetery in 1959. We were then forced to bury our loved ones at Roodeport and Dobsonville (Roodeport) Cemetery.

“In 1955 the first group of residents were forcefully removed in Juliwe township and were relocated to Dobsonville,” added Ntwasa.

Meanwhile, Dobsonville Heritage Foundation would like to inform former residents of Juliwe Township to join them when they unveil a plaque at Juliwe Cemetery in Horizon View on 25 September.

“We will use the day to celebrate our heritage. Our trip back to Juliwe is a reminder of the people of Dobsonville where they originally come from,” said Ntwasa.

The foundation will be hosting a public meeting to be held at Kopanong Hall on the 15 August.

The meeting is about Juliwe Cemetery and land claim of Juliwe township.

Meeting commences at 10 am until late. For more information about Township Cemetery contact Dobsonville Heritage Foundation on 081 068 8546\079 163 2707.

For more information about Township Cemetery contact Dobsonville Heritage Foundation on 081 068 8546\079 163 2707.

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