Families in the Eastern Cape are calling on the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality to address deteriorating conditions at several cemeteries across the metro.
The affected burial sites include the final resting places of some of South Africa’s anti-apartheid heroes and heroines.
The family of the late Elizabeth Biko has been particularly affected after being forced to exhume her remains from the Zone 10 Zulichar Cemetery.
Biko was buried at the cemetery in March this year. However, the family later discovered that heavy rains had caused extensive flooding at the site, with several graves submerged in water.
When the family returned to the cemetery, they were unable to locate Biko’s grave. They say flooding is a recurring problem at the site and eventually had no choice but to exhume her remains.
The family says the ordeal has compounded the grief of losing their loved one and placed an unexpected financial burden on them.
The flooding severely damaged the casket, forcing the family to purchase a replacement ahead of the reburial. They were also charged R4,500 by the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality for the exhumation.
While the family managed to cover the costs, they have questioned what would happen to families who cannot afford such unexpected expenses.
They have also accused the municipality of failing to inform them about the cemetery’s poor conditions before Biko was laid to rest.
The situation is reportedly part of broader challenges affecting cemeteries across Buffalo City Metro.
Families have raised concerns about the theft and vandalism of tombstones, while inadequate security has also become a major issue.
There are further concerns that some people are establishing informal settlements in close proximity to graves, adding to calls for the municipality to improve the management, maintenance and security of its cemeteries.
Families are now demanding answers from Buffalo City Metro and want urgent measures taken to prevent other bereaved families from experiencing similar hardships.