The Catholic cemetery in Robertson Street has been used since the 1800s as the resting place for Jesuit
priests, Assumption Sisters and Catholics of all calibres.
The Catholic cemetery in Robertson Street has been used since the 1800s as the resting place for Jesuit
priests, Assumption Sisters and Catholics of all calibres.
But since 1995, the cemetery has no longer been used by the Catholic community of Grahamstown for burials and vandals have been gradually invading the cemetery.
Now there is no proper entrance gate, tombstones had been irreparably damaged with the pieces scattered all around, the majority of tombstones are without metal fencing and iron crosses have
been stolen by thieves.
Paddy Page, a member of the Catholic community is not certain of who the perpetrators are, he thinks that those responsible are in pursuit of iron, copper and steel which they sell to scrap metal dealers.
Most Catholics whose families had been buried at the cemetery, have since left Grahamstown, leaving the site without consistent caretaking.
According to Page this has been on going for years. “No matter what happens, they [criminals]will come in anyways. All we can do is make it hard for them,” says Page.
He says that the cemetery is a local historical site that should be preserved but he is disappointed by the level of recklessness and inhumanity from the community.
“You don’t treat the dead like this, all which is left here will go as well at some time if nothing is done about it.”
The local SAPF has agreed to not only increase patrols in the area but promise to focus on sensitising scrap metal dealers who are at the receiving end of these crimes.
“We did send out notices to local scrap metal dealers reminding them of their responsibility in regards to the Stolen Goods Act. We will speed up the action of closing down the scrap metal market in Grahamstown so that such crimes are not committed,” said Lieutenant Colonel Willem du Plooy.
Residents of the area are also concerned and say they would like to see an end to the vandalism as they feel that they are in danger.
Shirley Goliath (48) who has been living in the area for 20 years says that she doesn’t think people living in the area are at fault.
“I have seen some people from other parts going in but none of our children go in there. The households here belong to responsible adults and the children of the area are well brought up and are too young to be the perpetrators.”
As a former Catholic Church member she says, “The Catholics are keeping to themselves and there is no communication between them and us residents,” adding that she would like to help report acts of vandalism.
Nomvula Zondani (70) whose house is in front of the cemetery’s entrance is worried about the actions she often witnesses.
“We see them doing it in daylight, some even bring their wheelbarrows to carry the stolen items. We always stay connected with the neighbours to alert each other and when these actions happen we call the police who sometimes come and sometimes don’t.”
Zondani is also concerned with safety in the neighbourhood as these crimes take place right across the street from where they live.
“We are scared of this because it is not hard for them to come on to our side and attempt to rob us,” she exclaimed.
