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Yet Another Tombstone Goes Missing, Adding to the Disturbing Trend
Another tombstone at Brakpan Cemetery was stolen. The Modupe family was devastated to discover that a portion of the tombstone dedicated to their father was missing. The shocking incident occurred during the family’s visit to the cemetery on October 28, leaving them in disbelief. Mpho Modupe, expressing his heartbreak, questioned the lack of security in such situations, especially considering the effort and savings invested in planning the memorial. He suspects the thieves were well-equipped, noting that the stolen granite slab was reinforced with cement and concrete, indicating a deliberate and calculated effort.
Also read: City Expresses Strong Disapproval of Vandalism at Mooifontein Cemetery
In response to the incident, the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) acknowledged the current lack of active security at the Brakpan Cemetery, attributing it to financial constraints that the city is actively addressing. Zweli Dlamini, the CoE spokesperson, explained that the city has requested a security assessment by the EMPD to explore feasible solutions within limited resources. Acknowledging the challenges in combating criminal activities in cemeteries, Dlamini highlighted the upcoming security assessment’s role in determining appropriate security levels to safeguard the cemetery.
While recognising the distress caused to the Modupe family, Dlamini emphasised that, according to Chapter 7 of the Cemetery and Crematorium By-Laws, the municipality cannot compensate for such losses. However, he reiterated the city’s commitment to supporting the community in safeguarding memorial sites. He encouraged the public to cooperate by reporting suspicious activities. The city remains dedicated to actively exploring and implementing measures to enhance the security and safety of cemeteries for the community’s benefit and the sanctity of these spaces.
Source: Another tombstone stolen
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Picture: Supplied by African Reporter
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