Families angry over graves dug up for development

HUNDREDS of graves are being dug up across South Africa to make way for new developments, mining and farming — sparking complaints by the families of the deceased.

The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities and the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) are investigating the complaints.

Most complaints are from the Eastern Cape, KwaZuluNatal, Limpopo, the Free State, Northern Cape and Mpumalanga.

In a recent case, a construction company hired by the Polokwane municipality built a dam on the site of graves, according to commission lawyer Aubrey Sedupane.

“Some graves were illegally exhumed and buried near the dam,” he said.

Tala Madiba of Malahlela village in Limpopo said the community had not been consulted about the dam.

“One skull and some bones were saved by the elders in the family by carrying them in a plastic bag and burying them near the dam. But the question is: What happened to the other remains?” said Madiba.

Sedupane said the commission also investigated the destruction of graves in Aliwal North in the Eastern Cape.

The community organisation Insika yeSizwe of South Africa complained about the exhumation of graves in Piet Retief, in Mpumalanga, by Kangra Coal.

But the commission found that the mine had consulted the community and the families had been compensated.

One of the family members, Fana Mthethwa, said: “The company did not want to respect family rituals associated with the exhumation of graves, but just exhumed them using machines.”

Sedupane said the commission was also dealing with cases of farmers in Mpumalanga who allegedly destroyed family graves and planted trees on the sites.

SAHRA chief executive Mmabatho Ramagoshi said: “When remains are discovered during the course of development, such activity is ceased and reported to the police.” The responsible heritage authority then investigates whether the grave is of cultural significance or protected under the National Heritage Resources Act.

According to the law, no person may, without a permit issued by the agency or by a provincial heritage resources authority, disturb graves older than 60 years.

Two years ago, Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla was taken to court by three villagers who accused him of trying to move their family graves to build a multimillionrand hotel and stadium.