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Cllr Lindiwe Lowane of the Makhado Municipality was photographed while officially handing over the keys of the graveyards to Khosi Vho-Constance Net-shimbupfe.

New fences for rural graveyards

 

News  Date: 05 September 2008

 

As a result of a trend in the community where tombstones in graveyards are being damaged, the Makhado Municipality officially handed over a razor wire fence to the residents of Manavhela, Tshilaphala, Tshitungulwane and Mudziafere Villages at a function that was held at Manavhela community grounds a week ago.

 The community members of the four villages of the Tshimbupfe area were over the moon during the official handing over of the graveyards fencing project. Apart of the fence, the municipality also erected toilets inside the respective graveyard premises.

According to Cllr Khamusi Mauba, the fencing projects were started in March this year and were completed two weeks ago. He added that the four communities were also experiencing a very serious challenge of a lack of space, as the available land they were using as graveyards was exhausted. “We felt that we should intervene and assist, as it is always our duty to assist the communities we serve,” Mauba said.

The acting mayor of the Makhado Municipality, Cllr Lindiwe Lowane, officially handed over the keys for the newly erected facilities to the acting chief of the Tshimbupfe area, Khosi Vho-Constance Mutavhatsindi Netshimbupfe.

Receiving the keys for the graveyards, Netshimbupfe said that she felt very happy with the projects. “I really appreciate what the Makhado Municipality has done for the community. Our forefathers’ graves will be safe at all times,” she said. Netshimbupfe pleaded with the police during the event to make sure that thieves do not cut or vandalize the fence.

According to Mauba, the projects were completed at a cost of R595 000. Incidences of graveyards being vandalized had been reported around the Vhembe District in the past two months. Recently, more than 50 tombstones were vandalised at Madabani Village in the Sinthumule area.

 

Written by

Peter Muthambi

Peter Muthambi graduated from the University of Venda with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Studies. He started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror as well as national papers in 2006. He loves investigative journalism and is also a very keen photographer.

 

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