A graveyard near the N4 has been neglected for a long time, some of the graves in the graveyards date as far back as 1928. Some of the have broken tombstones and the whole place has been recently been burned. It seems even the relatives of the people buried in those graves do not care.
Another graveyard, near the community hall in Hlakanikahle, has been neglected for a long time as well.
The graves are of people some of whom were born in 1891 and died in 1961 while others died in 1977.
To make matters worse, an area next to the graveyard is used as a dumping site.
While other graves cannot be seen among the overgrown grass and shrubs, some of the graves have tombstones, others are just soil which can hardly be seen. A path cuts across the graveyard as well.
A resident of the area said the area next to graveyard is fully serviced and some residents were expected to relocate from the ‘Wag’ areas.
“It is so sad to see people dumping next to the old graveyard, they need to show some respect. Even when the rubbish is cleared, people come again to dump. If the graveyard can be fenced and stands given to the people it can solve the problem,” said the resident.
Another graveyard neglected is Witbank Cemetery near the Puma Stadium that as well is in a bad state, with overgrown grass and scrubs. The overgrown grass and trees overshadow the graves and some of the graves cannot even be seen.
Sewerage is overflowing in the centre of the road leading to graveyard.
