Members of the local community, who have lost loved ones, are facing yet another heartbreaking blow, after discovering yet again that the very sacred grounds in which the remains of their beloved were placed to rest in peace, are being neglected and overlooked by those entrusted with its’ care.
A devastated resident complained to the Laudium Sun that she was appalled and disgusted at the state in which she found her father's grave during her last visit. Suraiya Hassim (48) said she was heartbroken when she saw her beloved father's gravesite on Saturday, March 3, covered by overgrown weeds and long grass. "It looked like a dumping site," the bereaved daughter exclaimed.
"When I got there on Saturday, I started bawling my eyes out. I was just so sad."
Suraiya said it was not only her father's grave that was so unkempt, but also most of the graves in the Muslim section. She said what was more upsetting was that other sections of the cemetery seemed well-maintained. "I am not trying to make this about race and religion, but it's hard not to feel this way, when every other section of the cemetery looked well-maintained, to me,” Suraiya said tearfully.
"Our families have paid for these plots and we also pay rates, so that the council can adequately take care of these sites – is this the quality of care our loved ones should receive? I'm absolutely heartbroken," she continued. Suraiya added that she wants the council to give the Muslim section of the cemetery as much care and attention as the rest of the area. She went on to say that this was not the first time that the area had not been maintained properly. “I complained to the council before and, despite not receiving an actual response, the levels of maintenance did improve for a short while.” Suraiya concluded by saying that she rang the council, yet again, that very Saturday (March 3) but was still waiting for a response.
Land and Environmental Operations Manager for the City of Tshwane, Al Hardy, told the Laudium Sun last week, that his staff investigated the issue of maintenance at the Rebecca Street cemetery Muslim section and found that the maintenance contractor had not delivered to the standard required.
"This is being remedied over the next few days," Hardy promised.
*A number of Muslim residents told the Laudium Sun that the ‘Cold War’ between the two Muslim burial committees was the cause of poor maintenance at the graveyard, as the community was no longer represented by a unified voice.
The Laudium Sun captured this scene (left) at the Muslim section... and the formerly White (Christian) section (right) at the Rebecca Street Cemetery.