By Anita Dangazele
An illegal informal settlement of roughly 100 shacks has been built on top of parts of the Lujiza cemetery in Duncan Village, East London.
Families of people buried at the cemetery are asking for help after residents built shacks on top of their loved ones’ graves.
Among other graves, the cemetery also holds the last resting place of 23 victims of the Duncan Village Massacre, who were killed on 11 August 1985 after attending the funeral of human rights activist Victoria Mxenge in Qonce (then King Williams Town).
For a long time, families struggled to find their relatives’ graves because the cemetery was overgrown with long grass and not well-maintained.
Lonwabo Yiliwe, director of the Eastern Cape government’s human rights and missing persons unit, said families had sought help.
After visiting the cemetery, the unit found that the shacks were not only built on graves but were also being used for criminal activities.
“The shacks have led to illegal activities like burning [cables for] copper [wire] and drug use, making things worse. We also saw that some graves are being used as dumping sites, with trash like plastic, nappies, and other waste scattered around,” Yiliwe said.
Some families are now thinking about moving the remains of their loved ones to another cemetery.
“These actions are very disrespectful, especially in African culture, where showing respect for the deceased is very important,” Yiliwe added.
The unit plans to file a criminal case against those who built shacks on the graves.
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said the matter had been referred to different departments and may lead to legal action being taken.
“The Metro condemns in the strongest possible terms the illegal invasion of land. It even sounds more disturbing when the land in question is alleged to be a graveyard, which is a sacred area that should be respected.”
He added that the municipality would also consult with the relevant ward councillors to find out more about the issue and take appropriate action.
Pictured above: Some shacks built right next to a grave.
Source: Supplied
Full Story Source: Shack dwellers build on top of the dead
