Flooding exposes graves, bones wash up along river

GRAVES at Gong Gong Cemetery near Barkly West are being exposed after flooding in the area when the sluice gates were opened two weeks ago.

EFF Dikgatlong councillor Lefa Leeuw stated that human remains were washed up along the river last week.

Archaeologist David Morris said the graves were over 100 years old, while the area also houses an archaeological site.

“A meeting was held with officials, including the municipal manager at Dikgatlong Municipality, in December, where it was recommended that a gabion retainer wall should be erected around the graveyard.”

He noted that the area was steep and was situated right on the river bank.

“This will make the construction of the steel mesh barrier wall challenging. Also mindful of the fact that there are costs involved, where the municipality has limited resources and a number of other financial responsibilities.”

The municipality had not responded to media enquiries by the time of publication.