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THEY’RE AT WAR WITH THE DEAD!

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Residents invaded land earmarked for a cemetery.
Residents invaded land earmarked for a cemetery.

ALL hell will break loose if anyone is buried on this land!

These were the words of squatter camp residents in Phutanang, Kimberley, after they closed dug-up graves at a cemetery on Tuesday.

The Sol Plaatje Municipality had just decided to go ahead with burials on land earmarked for a cemetery, which was invaded last month.

Piet Khumo, who built a shack on the land, said: “We’re not going anywhere. No one should set foot here to bury anyone. This our land. The land remained unused for years and the municipality only wants to use it because people live on it. This is another failed government project.”

He said the municipality demolished shacks without telling them.

“We closed the dug-up graves because no one wants to wake up to find a body buried in their yard,” said Piet.

Another shack dweller told the People’s Paper: “They told us the land wasn’t good for people to live on. I believe it’s not suitable for a burial site.

“We’ll make the land our home before it becomes a criminal den.”

Spokesman Sello Matsie said the cemetery was ready to be used a long time ago but was vandalised.

“The municipality’s plan to make the land a burial site will continue. We’ll not be held to ransom,” he said.

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