Mourners visiting the Petersfield Cemetery were outraged to see goats grazing among the graves.
Mourners further allege that the gate at the cemetery has been missing for months and there is water running down the pathway.
“I was shocked to see the animals there and that shouldn’t be allowed as a cemetery is a sacred place,” says resident Marikie Meyer.
Also read: Geduld Cemetery security to be improved
Metro spokesperson Themba Gadebe says: “The plan is to fix the tap before fixing the gate and put measures in place to ensure the gate is not stolen again as it will be fruitless expenditure to replace the gate without there being measures to protect it.”
The Addie has since learned that the Petersfield Cemetery is a berm cemetery.
According to the by-laws of the metro, a berm is a concrete base for the erection of a memorial work at the head of a grave in an aesthetic section.
Simply put, this means that you cannot have a full memorial gravesite, just the headstone, which means you will have grass growing over the graves.
Therefore, maintenance workers will sometimes be required to walk over the graves in the course of their duties.
Residents should also note that graves can only be purchased as and when required for immediate use and no additional gravesites may be reserved for future use.
Also read: Volunteers clean Geduld Cemetery
Kamohelo Rakosa, the cemetery officer at Petersfield says mourners are welcome to contact him if they have any questions or complaints about the cemetery.
“My office is at the cemetery and I’m there from 7am until 3.30pm from Monday to Friday.
“Alternatively, you can call me on 083 646 0746.”
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