ACCESS to land for burial came under the spotlight yesterday.
The Commission for the Protection of the Rights of Cultural Communities launched its inquiry into the matter and will start consultations across the country next week.
The commission decided to investigate the matter after receiving a number of complaints about access to graves.
The eThekwini Municipality also made headlines recently when it announced there was a space crisis and it was investing in crematoriums because cremations were likely to increase in the future.
Addressing a briefing at the commission’s offices in Braamfontein, Joburg, commissioner Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva said problems included property owners denying people access to graves and a lack of municipal land for burials.
“The right of families to access their ancestors is denied by some farm owners under the pretext of private property,” she said.
Mkhwanazi-Xaluva said that because there were many farm murders happening in the country, many farmers said they were now afraid to allow strangers access to their properties.
“We will establish a framework ensuring safe access for people and the safety of farm owners,” she said.
