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VEREENIGING – A case of mixed-up graves in Vanderbijlpark cemetery has left the Raditsela’s distraught and furious.
This comes after the Emfuleni Local Municipality mixed their grave with that of the Moshoane family.
In August this year, the Moshoanes queried their grave after they found a tombstone belonging to Elizabeth Raditsela at grave number C169, which they believe belonged to them after they were issued the same number as a ‘dummy number’ in 2009.
According to the Raditselas, the Moshoanes were permitted to remove the tombstone after they were told that C169 was their father’s grave.
In one meeting held at the municipal offices between the two families and the municipality, ELM Cemeteries, and Parks agreed to have made the mix-up and offered the Raditsela’s repatriation funds and promised to replace their tombstone.
On December 06, 2023, the Raditselas received a letter refuting their statement made during the meeting and now claiming they are not at fault for destroying their tombstone, but the Moshoanes.
“Kindly take note that the municipality denies the responsibility for the damage to the Raditsela grave as you were previously advised in the meeting that was called between the parties.”
The letter further reads “Kindly also take note that you were informed that the Moshoane family approached cemeteries office for a grave number of their beloved one. Upon arrival at the cemetery, the family found a tombstone that belonged to the late Raditsela family member.”
“The Moshoane family member decided to break and remove the tombstone without any approval from the Parks and Cemeteries office. The Moshoane family are accountable for the damages and removal of the tombstone and its whereabouts.”
In a voice clip supplied to Ster of the meeting with the affected families and ELM employees, XXX who chaired the meeting said the municipality was liable of the mix-up.
“The tombstone was removed and we should be liable for that and the damage thereof. Let us identify whose grave is it that we are dealing with so that we should reach the finality of the matter,” he said.
In the same meeting, Themba Kgai from Parks and Cemeteries said “Our investigation revealed that Moshoane MJ was buried in grave number C188 and Raditsela E is buried in C169. This information was physically verified. We went there [to the cemetery] and confirmed those burials.”
Lizzy Raditsela (60) said she is disappointed to learn that the municipality is changing its story.
“We are barely surviving due to the stress that the municipality caused us. We were healing after the meeting we attended with the other family when the municipality agreed to our terms of fixing our tombstone. For them to change their story and dump us, really leave us broken. All we want is the grave to be fixed and our ceremony monies given back to us to conduct a proper unveiling,” she said.
ELM’s spokesman Makhosonke Sangweni said the municipality is aware of the matter.
“The matter is with our legal department and mediation is continuing between the families and one family has brought their legal team as well. We are hoping for an amicable solution at the end of the process. Take note that this is a culturally sensitive matter and we would appreciate a situation of cooperation between all parties,” he said.