Amadlozi Show Tombstone Tsotsi Flames!
Caught in the Act: Cemetery Vandal Faces Justice After Destroying Tombstones
Vandalism in cemeteries is all too common, yet few vandals are ever caught. However, on Friday, 25 October, one was apprehended while damaging tombstones and now sits behind bars.
Families quickly gathered at the cemetery to check on their loved ones’ graves, and while some found their memorials intact, others were devastated to find theirs shattered.
Zandile Ngwenya, whose father’s grave was damaged, expressed relief at the arrest, stating, “They don’t respect our dead or us.We save for these stones as a symbol of love, and then someone destroys it. This one will pay for others.”
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Security at the cemetery has been an issue since the concrete palisade fence was broken by thieves seeking steel wires to sell.
Visitors like August Tlhapi blame scrapyards for encouraging theft.
Resident Job Mzila suspects that tombstone manufacturers may even collaborate with criminals, as some granite stones seem to disappear entirely.
Ekurhuleni police confirmed the arrest, stating the suspect will appear in court soon.
