What was supposed to be a final resting place for loved ones’ ashes has turned into a wall of vandalism and criminality at the public cremation wall at the Memoriam Cemetery in Bloemfontein. The wall was created to provide locals with an affordable and dignified alternative to traditional burials.
A few weeks ago, a concerned resident, Tladi Ntsoaneng, shared a photo with Bloemfontein Courant showing the visible damage to the boxes in the various compartments. Some urns have been opened while others continue to visibly deteriorate due to rain and heat. “I was attending a funeral, but I was really disappointed. The conditions are really bad, especially when we are encouraged [by the municipality] to follow cremation when we bury our loved ones,” he said.
According to Dr Thabang Thinda, Head of Mangaung’s Department of Community Services, the municipality has acknowledged this situation and has taken necessary steps to address the challenges by issuing notices through ward councillors and local community leaders. The municipality plans to embark on an awareness campaign to trace affected families. “The municipality deeply regrets the emotional distress caused by these incidents and is committed to securing the site and restoring dignity to the area,” he expressed.
Thinda noted that some of the challenges include persistent vandalism, theft of fixtures, and a lack of security across multiple cemetery sites, as well as insufficient maintenance budgets. “Weather-related wear and tear and the lack of a digital registry system for older graves also complicate cemetery management and accountability,” he added.
Nonetheless, immediate interventions such as grass-cutting and cleaning have been implemented, which will take effect in the coming weeks. “Emergency repairs to the cremation wall structure are being planned in consultation with our infrastructure and engineering units, with the aim of stabilising the site while more comprehensive restoration funding is sought,” he said.
As a result, the municipality has made a call to the broader community to take part in voluntary clean-up drives and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities. “We are also exploring the establishment of ‘Friends of the Cemetery’ committees across various wards to strengthen community-government collaboration in cemetery upkeep and security,” he highlighted.
Speaking on the general state of cemeteries in Mangaung, Thinda said the high demand for burial space places pressure on existing sites, some of which have reached or are nearing full capacity despite the progress since budget allocations. “Work is being prioritised based on safety concerns, public complaints, and the historical importance of each site,” he concluded.
Gypseenia Lion
[email protected]
