Community grappling to protect Gugulethu cemetery
Following the recent stoppage of the construction of a wall at the Gugulethu cemetery by unknown people who demanded money from the contractor working there, different Gugulethu and Nyanga stakeholders including the City of Cape Town have committed to tackle the issue and come up with a solution.
This is after the walls around the cemetery were vandalised. The local leaders are engaging various stakeholders to find immediate solutions to prevent vandalism from recurring.
The concerned members of the community convened an urgent meeting at the offices of Ward 39 councillor Thembinkosi Mjuza on last Wednesday, June 26.
The City of Cape Town was trying to implement long-term measures to restore and protect the NY5 cemetery following recent acts of vandalism. But then recently the contractor left the site unattended after threats.The malicious acts of vandalism have left many families distraught and destroyed a sacred site that the community cherishes.
The leaders said unity is key to fight disruption and “haters” of community development.
The leaders have also called for a collective effort to prevent criminal activity from continuing at the city's cemeteries.
Nyanga’s ward 37 councillor Sandile Martins said metro police, security companies and community groups needed tojoin forces to protect the cemetery.
Mr Martins said the community was saddened by the vandalism and more the stoppage of the construction. “We resolved that the contractor must also come up with its safety plan. We will assess its security and where the law enforcement can assist. But we are still to meet,” said Mr Martins.
Mr Mjuza said the worry was that the contractor’s term was ending on June 30 so they cannot move on without the contractor and service provider.
He said they are meeting again today, Thursday July 4. “The people are very worried about this matter. The community is very much involved. But we think the contractor’s term should be extended,” he said.
Mr Mjuza said they have to look at the safety plans, safety measures so that they can include the Community Policing Forum, neighbourhood watch and the law enforcements. He is said he had to cut his recess to resolve the matter.
“We have to keep the community abreast of what is happening. This is a burning issue for us all.”
The City can confirm that work on the cemetery wall has been interrupted due to threats levelled against the contractor. It said the work is under way to put measures in place so that the project can continue.
In a statement it condemned the ongoing efforts to hinder service delivery in this matter. It further encouraged the residents to report any incidents or information they may have linked to extortion, to the City’s 24-hour hotline on 0800
