Thieves were caught in Ekurhuleni red-handed stealing tombstones at a cemetery so that they would refurbish and resell them.
Ekurhuleni residents are outraged after police arrested a tombstone manufacturer and three accomplices at Phumulani Cemetery, Etwatwa, over the theft. They would allegedly steal granite slabs from gravesites, refurbish them, and resell them as kitchen countertops and tombstones.
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Thieves Caught Red-Handed Stealing Tombstones In Ekurhuleni For Resale
The suspects, including the alleged mastermind, were nabbed red-handed last week by local crime wardens as they removed a granite slab from a gravesite. Police say the manufacturer confessed to orchestrating a scheme in which his team would install tombstones, wait a few months, and then remove the stones to refurbish and sell.
“They allegedly place a tombstone and, after a few months, return to take it. They refurbish the granite stone and resell it as kitchen granite tops or tombstones, essentially recycling our tombstones,” said Daniel Sefako, a victim of the scheme.
Sefako recently discovered part of his late mother’s tombstone missing at Phumulani Cemetery.
How The Robbers Operate
Thieves Caught Stealing Tombstones In Ekurhuleni [Image: Ntebatse Masipa/Daily Sun]Residents told the Daily Sun that thieves exploit the lack of security at cemeteries, entering under the guise of visiting relatives and scouting tombstones.
“These people are busy because they know security guards aren’t patrolling the entire cemetery. They enter as if they’re visiting non-existent relatives but are actually scouting for tombstones to steal. It’s easy to access the cemetery as parts of the fence are missing,” Sefako added.
A recent visit to Phumulani Cemetery revealed missing headstones and several graves with granite slabs removed, highlighting the scale of the problem.
Ekurhuleni Municipality spokesperson Zweli Dlamini commended the police for apprehending the suspects and voiced the city’s frustration over recurring vandalism in cemeteries.
“We’ve seen many graves vandalised. As a municipality, it’s a positive sign. We hope more people will come forward with information so that all those involved are arrested. Graveyards used to be sacred places, but not anymore,” Dlamini said.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majang Skalkie confirmed the arrests and stated that all four suspects, including the tombstone manufacturer, remain in custody.