Agreed, it's happening all over South Africa. I was extremely saddened by the damage done to the Ash Wall / Braamfontein Crematorium wall:
https://www.theheritageportal.co.za/thread/braamfontein-crematorium...
Statement from Johannesburg Parks & Zoo:
tatement from City Parks - 5 April 2023
Johannesburg City Parks & Zoo is aware of the destruction at the Braamfontein cemetery, which has been the largest in the history of Joburg Cemeteries. JCPZ is investigating the causes as this large-scale destruction is unprecedented. What makes it even more surprising is that the niches were removed from the wall, discarded on the ground without being removed from the cemetery, which does not explain the reason why this act of vandalism was conducted. In the past, cemeteries were damaged as a deliberate act to destroy property, for rituals or simply criminality to disturb these sacred places of rest.
Braamfontein Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries, having been opened in the 1800’s. No burials are taking place in the cemetery at the moment, which makes the cemetery vulnerable to both theft and vandalism. Furthermore, there are homeless people and recyclers who have found shelter in the cemetery. Unfortunately, JCPZ cannot remove them without finding alternative shelter for them, which is not a competency of JCPZ.
Nevertheless JCPZ is trying very hard to discourage and prevent these acts of vandalism. To this end security personnel have been deployed in the cemetery to manage access control and to patrol the facility. JCPZ is also planning an awareness campaign to highlight this problem and to get communities to assist.
JCPZ is also engaging various stakeholders such as JMPD, CoJ’s Social Development, SAPS, Human Rights Commission, security companies, NPO’s and Park Rangers to find a lasting and sustainable solution to this problem.
JCPZ calls upon relevant stakeholders to report these vandals to the police as most family members of those lying in the Braamfontein Cemetery have emigrated, so that SAPS can also act on this matter.
I've been a long time supporter of BACSA: British Association for Cemeteries in South Asia. I wonder if there is a similar initiative in South Africa?
Please excuse my last post (deleted). Poor Flo was the victim of my dictation software.
