THE STORM that ravaged parts of KwaMhlanga and Siyabuswa in Mpumalanga last week not only affected the living, but also the dead.
The rain flooded Vaalbank Cemetery near KwaMhlanga, causing about 40 graves to sink, while others were exposed or had tombstones destroyed.
Pieces of tombstone were strewn all over the cemetery as far as the eye can see.
Gogo Paulina Shongoane (86) said she was shocked to learn her son’s grave had been damaged by the heavy rain.
Not only had the tombstone been damaged, but the grave had also sunk because of the water.
She had to use her pension money to buy bricks and cement to fix the grave.
Paulina told Daily Sun: “We can’t blame anyone because no one could have prevented this from happening. I will now have to also slaughter a goat to appease the wrath of the ancestors.”
Mikie Malapane (36) said the tombstones of two loved ones were damaged beyond repair.
She said the heavy rain smashed them to pieces as if a sledgehammer had been used.
“Even if we wanted to, we can’t re-use them,” she said. “We have no choice but to buy new ones and perform an unveiling ceremony again.”
When Daily Sun visited the cemetery yesterday, it was clear that many other residents were still not aware that their loved ones’ graves had been damaged.
“Some of the graves that did not have tombstones have simply vanished, while others were just gaping holes filled with muddy water.”
