‘REST in peace’ is not what is happening at the Jubilee Park Cemetery in Uitenhage. Gravesite vandalism and the violating of various other cemeteries and crematoria by-laws have families concerned and calling for help from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
“Two graves of deceased family members have been vandalised and one grave of another family member has totally disappeared. The Momberg gravestone, flowerpots … everything has just vanished,” said the Uitenhage resident who wishes to stay anonymous.
“It seems that someone is making a business out of the gravestones, marble and flowerpots taken from this graveyard. We saw the vehicle tracks from one grave where half of the marble gravestone was removed.
“Whilst visiting graves, there are men posing as grave caretakers who then demand R100.
“If one says one does not want to make use of their services, they start to harass one, asking for money. This makes one feel very unsafe as there is no security. And if there is a caretaker, that person obviously does not do his or her job.”
During the UD Express’ visit to the Jubilee Park Cemetery, the site of the vandalised graves, tombs and wall of remembrance was shocking.
One also felt unease with the group of vagrants seen sitting and smoking on graves under a tree; at least four people were seen jumping the security walls using a tipped Shoprite trolley and vandalised gravestone; the “grave caretaker” also appeared and was adamant with his demand for money.
Municipal portfolio head for public health, councillor Lance Grootboom said vandalism is a huge problem across the metropole and it has escalated since the start of lockdown.
“However, our biggest problem is the insourcing of security guards. Previously security was outsourced, but the illegal motion from the EFF three years ago to insource security created the major security problem and destruction of municipal properties.
“We are very much aware of the security issues at Jubilee Park Cemetery and have taken it up with them. We have started an anti-vandalism steering committee that is assessing all the damages caused by vandalism to jack up security.
“We are in the process of speaking to Safety and Security to employ security guards at the cemeteries to be effective in the handling of crime and vandalism. Although Jubilee Park Cemetery is full, we still have to ensure that graves are not violated and that it is not being used as a short-cut by residents,” said Councillor Grootboom.
According to councillor Tyrone Adams of Ward 48 in which the cemetery resides, “The cemetery was an ad hoc site. In other words we had a month-to-month contract with security companies. When we insourced the security officers from security companies, we did not consider ad hoc contracts, but only areas where permanent security officers were deployed. That cemetery does not have security as we are speaking now. It will be looked at during our next portfolio meeting.”
Councillor Adams said the person “In the security house is hired by a private company, but he does not have any training and resources.”
Some of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality cemeteries and crematoria by-laws that are being violated at the Jubilee Park Cemetery include: that no person may in a place of interment commit or cause a nuisance; no person may mark, draw, scribble, on a wall, building, fence, gate, memorial work or other erection; use water for any form of gardening without the permission of the caretaker; leave or dump any rubbish, soil, stone, debris or litter; in any way damage, destroy or deface a grave, memorial, wall, building, fence, railing, path or other construction or any part thereof; treat a grave or memorial work with disrespect, such as climbing or sitting on a grave or memorial work; bring in any alcohol or consume any alcohol.
It is also stated in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality cemeteries and crematoria by-laws that a person who contravenes any of these provisions commits an offence. By the time of going to print, the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality communications department has not reacted to questions with regard to Jubilee Park Cemetery.
