THEY arrive at the graveyard and steal the ashes of dead people because they think it will bring them good luck!
These people are targeting the old cemetery in Geduld, Springs, where it is believed ashes of the rich are kept.
The thieves allegedly mix the ashes with vaseline to make a ‘good-luck’ ointment.
They also smoke the ashes and add it to their bath water.
This has angered relatives of the people whose ashes are kept on the site.
“We visited my grandmother’s final resting place only to find her ashes missing,” said an angry relative.
“This is sheer disrespect.
“Where have you seen a dead person bring people good luck?”
The residents who live near the cemetery told Daily Sun they see people driving into cemetery pretending they are coming to perform rituals,” said a resident.
The SunTeam visited the graveyard and most of the graves were damaged, with the ashes missing, or lying open. Some headstones were also missing.
A scrap collector said the local leaders and some residents visited the grave site last week.
“Some people accused us of stealing from the graves.
“We have nothing to do with this. They must ask us to help them to catch the thugs as we see them coming into the cemetery,” he said.
Sangoma Ndlovukati said people often rob graves for muthi purposes and others want good luck, but it often comes with serious consequences.
Sangoma Mahlabe said people who do this are involved in Satanism: “There is muthi for good luck, not the ashes of the dead.”
Captain Johannes Ramphora said they were aware of the matter. He said cops were investigating.
