Kimberley grave robbery: Headstones allegedly stolen and re-sold

AN INFORMAL business in Colville is allegedly selling “repurposed” headstones that were stolen from cemeteries across Kimberley.

Local community crime-fighting organisation Operation Fiela inspected the business, operating from a shack, this week and questioned the owner, who allegedly admitted to removing inscriptions from the headstones using a grinder.

He told Operation Fiela that he had been operating the business, which is not registered under any official name, since last year.

Operation Fiela chairperson Thabiso Louw said they inspected the premises in Colville after receiving a tip-off.

“We received various reports about graves that were vandalised, including at the ABC Cemetery, West End Cemetery and Phutanang Cemetery. Upon finding a number of headstones inside the shack, we reported the matter to the police. The business owner requested to meet with us on Thursday,” said Louw.

The suspected trade in stolen headstones has hit close to home for many and comes amid wider concern over vandalised graves, with one local councillor describing the financial and emotional toll on her own family.

A member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for safety and security at Sol Plaatje Municipality, Nomizizi Shwababa, said her brother’s grave was vandalised at the ABC Cemetery in 2023.

“The family incurred a great financial loss, as we spent R36,000 on the headstone that was broken off. It has taken us two years to replace it, as we needed to raise another R16,000 to repair it. I was shocked to learn that entrepreneurs are making a living by stealing from the dead. Who knows for how long enterprises of this sort have been operating?” Shwababa asked.

She said she would request the mayoral committee to boost security at cemeteries in the city.

“There is a shortage of security guards, but something needs to be done to preserve the dignity of the deceased.”

SAPS Northern Cape spokesperson Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane said no cases had been registered relating to the vandalism of headstones for investigation, but encouraged affected members of the public to report such cases at their nearest police station.