A disturbing new crime trend has emerged in Gqeberha, where criminals are digging up graves not to steal marble or granite, but to access underground street lighting cables. The Papenkuil Cemetery has become a hotspot for these thefts, forcing grieving families to relive the pain of losing loved ones as they discover vandalized gravesites.
A Heinous New Crime Trend
Previously, cemetery thefts in the area involved stealing valuable materials from tombstones. However, criminals have now shifted their focus to the cables running beneath burial sites, leaving graves desecrated and families devastated.
At Papenkuil Cemetery, multiple graves have been disturbed, with tombstones destroyed and burial sites excavated. For relatives, the emotional toll is unbearable.
“It made me very angry—who does things like that?” said one distraught family member. “The soul is gone to heaven, but the body is still there. What type of people would do this?”
Financial and Emotional Hardship
Many affected families cannot afford the costly repairs needed to restore vandalized graves. One widow shared her anguish after her husband’s tombstone was destroyed.
“I had to spend more money because I couldn’t see his grave in that state,” she said. “I wanted to give him the same tombstone, but now I fear it will just be vandalized again. I’m still traumatized, hurt, and angry.”
Funeral service providers confirm that grave repairs can cost between R10,000 to R30,000, depending on the tombstone’s design—a heavy financial burden for many.
Lack of Security at Cemeteries
Residents have criticized local authorities for inadequate security at cemeteries. The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality acknowledges the problem, admitting that while caretakers are present during the day, there is no overnight security.
“We don’t think there should be someone guarding cemeteries, but because of what’s happening, we may have to change that,” a municipal official said.
A City Under Siege
Gqeberha is already grappling with high crime rates and infrastructure failures. Now, even the sanctity of burial grounds has been violated, reopening old wounds for grieving families.
As authorities consider tighter security measures, residents are left questioning how far criminals will go—and why even the dead are no longer safe.
