Human remains have washed up near Gong Gong.
Image: Supplied
WITH water levels rising along low-lying residential areas after sluice gates were opened this week following heavy rains, human remains have started washing up from the graveyard in Gong Gong.
Resident Terence van Wyk said that graves and tombstones were disturbed by the floods, with human skulls and bones lying along the riverbank.
“This is not the first time this has happened, and no one has come out to address the situation,” he said.
He added that his grandparents were buried at the grave site over 70 years ago.
“I won’t be able to rebury the remains myself, and they may be carried away by the current, as the water levels are rising and are also approaching the houses. Gong Gong is a forgotten place that attracts no attention, despite several promises from the municipality to address the problem - none of which were ever followed through.”
Dikgatlong councillor Cornelius Mostert said that a proposal by the municipality to launch a community project to build a stone wall to prevent flooding of the graveyard never got off the ground.
“It will not be possible to relocate the roughly 200 disturbed graves to the new graveyard,” he said.
Dikgatlong Municipality had not responded to media enquiries by the time of publication.
Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture spokesperson Conrad Fortune stated that a meeting was held with the Heritage Council on April 10.
"We are aware of the distressing incident at the Gong Gong graveyard following the opening of the sluice gates, which has unfortunately resulted in the disturbance of graves and the exposure of human remains," he said.
Fortune added that a qualified archaeologist would be appointed to conduct an inspection and undertake a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) of the affected site, in line with national heritage legislation.
"This process will evaluate the extent of the damage and provide expert recommendations for the appropriate handling and restoration of the site, in accordance with established conservation principles."
He said that following the assessment, the archaeologist would apply for a permit from the South African Heritage Resources Agency (Sahra) on behalf of the Northern Cape Heritage Resources Authority to carry out any necessary work on the site.
"We recognise the cultural and emotional significance of this site and are committed to ensuring that all interventions are handled with the utmost care, respect and professionalism," Fortune added.
Graves and tombstones have been disturbed by flooding in Gong Gong.
Image: Supplied
Human remains have washed up on the riverbank near Gong Gong.
Image: Supplied
Meanwhile, evacuations are taking place at the Aquatic Club, while the Riverton Lower Bridge, which was closed on Monday due to flooding, remains shut and traffic has been rerouted.
Roads around Riverton and Langleg have been closed to traffic due to flooding.
Image: Shane Arthur
The Aquatic Club near Riverton is being evacuated due to flooding.
Image: Shane Arthur
Riverton has been affected by flooding after the sluice gates were opened.
Image: Shane Arthur
High water levels at Riverton have prompted evacuations.
Image: Shane Arthur