Springsites feel safer visiting the graves of loved ones
Tony Da Cruz, who runs the Springs - History of a Gold Town Facebook page, organised a two-hour visiting period with security sponsored by Prosafe Security and the Springs CPF.
The Geduld Cemetery, also known as the Springs Old Graveyard, is one of the most historic sites of our time.
But for many years, many residents have stayed away from it because it had become a crime hot spot.
Tony Da Cruz, who runs the Springs – History of a Gold Town Facebook page, organised a two-hour visiting period with security sponsored by Prosafe Security and the Springs CPF.
This after Springsites expressed their desire to visit the graves of loved ones.
“If we get 30 or more interested votes, they will do the security for free.
“The idea is to create a safe environment for people to visit the graves.
“A lot of people want to come through, but they are intimidated,” says Da Cruz.
He says his own mother and sister were robbed at the cemetery a few years ago.
Also read: Drug use and desecration at Geduld cemetery
Kathy and Henry Presten took the opportunity to visit with their granddaughter Kathy Rieger.
“We haven’t been here in years because we just did not feel safe.
“Our granddaughter helped us to find the graves of so many of our loved ones today.
“We are so grateful to Tony and ProSafe for the initiative,” says Henry.
Kathy says she also enjoyed viewing the Jewish side of the graves.
“If we felt this safe all the time, we would come more often,” she adds.
Frik Prinsloo, Sector Six CPF patrol co-ordinator, says he had a similar idea to be rolled out by the CPF.
“Safety for visitors to the cemetery has been a concern over the years.
“We were not strong enough yet to roll-out the patrols.”
Prinsloo says they will soon start with the programme that will see patrols every second week, on Sundays.
“There are many families who have plots here, and more of them are buried here still.
“In the past, people would come here after church.
“It was a tradition that many can still revive,” adds Da Cruz.
Joseph Eksteen says it has been painful not being able to visit his parents’ graves for many years.
“I was in Ireland and I was told my father was hijacked here while he was visiting my mother’s grave.
“I just never felt safe.
“But today I will enjoy the experience,” says Eksteen.
Another visitor, Carol Abby, says she has not been to the cemetery in 20 years.
“My grandparents were buried here.
“I would like to thank ProSafe and the CPF for this time.”
Also read: Geduld CPF and SAPS celebrate successful year
Ward 74 councillor Thulani Simelane says this is a great initiative.
“We are also aware of the safety concerns; together with the Sector Six CPF we are working out a patrol programme.
“For now the gates are always open, and that is not helping.
“The metro needs to repair the fence and the vandalised toilets.
“There are no working taps.
“And, of course, the issue of overgrown grass needs to be attended to.
“But the residents are willing to help the metro to keep Geduld Cemetery safe,” says Simelane.
ProSafe also sponsored cleaners to clear the weeds leading up to the event on Saturday.
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