Families shocked by tombstone vandalism
Geduld resident Gerhard Dry recently visited his wife's grave at the Geduld Cemetery and was shocked to find that several tombstones had been vandalised.
He feels that the disrespect for the dead is taking a toll on families who still visit the cemetery.
Ever since his wife died of cancer nearly 11 years ago, Dry has been visiting the grave to place flowers on it.
Read: Geduld cemetery’s fate revealed – Metro responds
Within two weeks, when he visited the cemetery again, he found that quite a few tombstones around his wife’s grave had been vandalised.
In a previous Ekurhuleni Metro statement, metro spokesman Themba Gadebe commented: “The cemetery is on a list of buildings to be demolished that was sent to Real Estate for review and action.”
Read:Â Inactive cemetery to be demolished
However, he shed light on the statement: “The metro would like to clarify that under no circumstances will the graves be demolished and tombstones removed. All the people who have reserved graves at the cemetery will not lose their reservations and can either use the grave or sell the unused reserved graves back to council.”
Read:Â Community up in arms about cemetery
The cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in Ekurhuleni and the metro claims the first burial took place there 109 years ago.
The Advertiser’s Facebook page was abuzz with comment:
Rien Vunderink: “Waar dink hulle moet ek nou weer geld kry om vir my baba ‘n steen op te kan sit.”
Jaco Rassie Erasmus: “Tombstones are very expensive and not to mention the emotional scars.”
Marinda van Zyl: “Dit is baie hartseer.
“Ons het my pa 42 jaar gelede daar begrawe en my moeder is 19 Augustus bo op my pa begrawe.
“‘n Grafsteen is op 20 September op gerig en glo my dit kos ‘n mens en dan vernietig hulle dit.”
Kevin Hutchinson: “The state of the place is terrible Ekurhuleni.”
