Following the recent and ongoing vandalism at the Braamfontein Cemetery, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) is calling for a collective effort to prevent and discourage destruction in cemeteries. According to JCPZ media relations officer Noeleen Mattera, the entity believes that to curb and eliminate malicious acts across the city and its structures, a collective force with stakeholders such as Johannesburg Metro Police Department, South African Police Service, the Department of Social Development, JCPZ Park Rangers, security companies, community groups are needed.
“JCPZ as the custodians of green open spaces including cemeteries in the City of Joburg is saddened by the extensive damage and desecration of the Braamfontein cemetery due to the on-going acts of vandalism,” says Mattera.
She says that JCPZ is in the process of engaging with the various stakeholders to find immediate solutions to prevent these acts from recurring.
“We are also looking at long-term solutions such as the relocation of displaced persons living in the Braamfontein cemeteries and other cemeteries across the city, into shelters and alternative housing,” says Mattera.
Mattera notes that vandalism is a global phenomenon and it has proven to be a difficult issue to address.
“The damage of the reported vandalism at the Braamfontein cemetery, which by far is the largest form of damage in a single cemetery has not yet been determined. This cemetery holds the remains of loved ones as early as the 1800s,” she says.
Mattera says that the entity would therefore like to request that family members whose loved ones have been laid to rest, to visit the Braamfontein cemetery to ascertain whether any damage has occurred to their loved ones’ tombstones and to report it to the relevant police stations.
“We are saddened by the state of the facility and the emotional distress it brings families. We are calling on the media fraternity, Friends of Cemeteries and interested organisations to assist in reinforcing the indignity and pain caused by these acts of vandalism and the effect it leaves of lasting scars to families,” says Mattera.
Written by Sascha-Lee Joseph
04/04/2023