The ongoing vandalism and stripping of Gugulethu and Khayelitsha cemeteries is raising the ire of local community groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both graveyards have been stripped bare by thieves and vandals. They now lay in ruins and are grazing fields for animals and, in some instances, resemble dumping sites for household waste to carcasses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Efforts to remedy the situation over the years have been in vain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, local structures say something needs to be done and are appealing to the City of Cape Town to re-fence them. Both the Gugulethu and Khayelitsha development forums say the situation is untenable as the remains of their loved ones cannot rest in peace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Khayelitsha Development Forum (KDF) chair Ndithini Tyhido described the Khayelitsha cemetery as a source of \u201cshame and embarrassment\u201d to the community. He said it used to be a respected place, and for that to resume it needs to be protected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe City should have hired security officers to look after this place,\u201d Tyhido said. \u201cBecause it is clear people do as they wish. We cannot run away from the fact that even criminals have an impact by stealing the palisade fence to sell it at a scrapyard.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
GDF secretary Vincent Domingo said people no longer respect graveyards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur graveyard is no longer a respected place,\u201d he declared. \u201cPeople are crossing at the graveyard because it is not fenced. We received numerous reports from many families saying the graves of their family members have been desecrated and their remains disturbed and coffins taken,\u201d He said the City needed to fence-off the cemetery and hire security officers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Domingo also lashed out at community members for failing to protect the cemeteries. \u201cThe community is supposed to take the initiative and look after their graves. That is where our beloved ones are resting. Everyone has a role to play to ensure our graves remain safe,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The City\u2019s Mayco Member for community services and health Patricia van der Ross said vandalism was an ongoing challenge at Gugulethu and Khayelitsha cemeteries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said plans were underway to find more effective solutions, including erecting a wall on the Klipfontein Road side of the Gugulethu Cemetery to prevent illegal crossing and access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Van der Ross stated refurbishing the City cemeteries is based on an assessment and needs analysis and the availability of resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnnually, a repairs-and-maintenance budget allocates R650 000 to the Khayelitsha Cemetery and R850 000 to Gugulethu Cemetery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last year R1 285 000 was spent on replacing damaged fencing and ongoing maintenance at Khayelitsha and Gugulethu cemeteries. This year, to find a more effective solution, the department has opted to engage with stakeholders and suppliers regarding sustainable solutions,\u201d she stated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Van der Ross stated security guards had been considered. However, she said, cemeteries in general are difficult to secure, due to the fact that they are large land areas with relatively dark portions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis makes patrolling ineffective and dangerous to manage, not to mention unsustainable in terms of the high cost of private security,\u201d she said. \u201cEven though security guards do their best to patrol access areas to ensure safety, vandalism and theft have persisted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Van der Ross decries cemeteries\u2019 no longer being viewed as places for respecting the dead, but rather as a means to an end. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs long as anti-social habits such as drug and alcohol abuse continue cemeteries will remain soft targets for objects that can easily be stolen to generate cash. The City is trying to raise awareness about the issues that can be addressed through a change in behaviour, which would mitigate some of the risk of cemeteries being vandalised.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The ongoing vandalism and stripping of Gugulethu and Khayelitsha cemeteries is raising the ire of local community 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