The family of a former soldier is distraught after his grave was vandalised and his remains stolen from an East London cemetery.
The grave belonged to Victor Sputla Mlungwane, a former SA National Defence Force soldier who died on November 29, 2010.
His sister Vivianne Ngxokolo, who lives in NU6 in Mdantsane, said she had been informed of the crime by police on Saturday morning.
According to Ngxokolo, the alarm had been raised by Buffalo City Metro employees, who noticed that the coffin had been dug up and left open next to the headstone. The remains were missing.
“We have no idea who could have done this. Even the police said they have never seen a case like this before,” Ngxokolo said.
“We as a family are so confused and hurt. The worst thing is that we don’t know where my brother’s bones are or why they were taken. Now it seems he’s not resting in peace because his remains have been disturbed.”
Ngxokolo said Mlungwane lived in Pretoria when he died from an illness. His remains were sent to East London.
“The funeral went well and there was no incidents at all, which is what makes this even more strange.
“We have opened a case with the police and they are investigating but we are not hopeful that the perpetrator will be found because there are no witnesses,” she said.
Police spokesman Captain Mluleki Mbi confirmed that a case of violation of a grave site was being investigated.
“We have no leads as yet,” Mbi said.
When the Dispatch arrived at the scene yesterday, pieces of the marble slab that once covered the grave site lay in pieces next to the headstone.
Pieces of satin, which the family said had once lined the coffin, lay scattered next to an empty rope packet.
Ward 15 ward councillor Dr Dinesh Vallabh said he had never come across an incident like it.
Vallabh pleaded with SAPS to have more visible policing at the graveyard.
“It’s appalling and shocking that people would do this. I have heard that people get mugged at the cemetery but this is just something else,” he said.
Vallabh said he and fellow residents regularly cleaned up at the cemetery.
“We are staging one such clean-up this weekend because we feel that the city doesn’t do enough to care for cemeteries.”
Other family members said they found the news upsetting.
Niece Siphokazi Ngxokolo said the incident had left her feeling despondent.
“I am really heartbroken at this senseless act of vandalism. We don’t know who did this and why but it is so hurtful and wrong,” she said. — zisandan@dispatch.co.za
EL grave broken into, man’s remains stolen
The grave belonged to Victor Sputla Mlungwane, a former SA National Defence Force soldier who died on November 29, 2010.
His sister Vivianne Ngxokolo, who lives in NU6 in Mdantsane, said she had been informed of the crime by police on Saturday morning.
According to Ngxokolo, the alarm had been raised by Buffalo City Metro employees, who noticed that the coffin had been dug up and left open next to the headstone. The remains were missing.
“We have no idea who could have done this. Even the police said they have never seen a case like this before,” Ngxokolo said.
“We as a family are so confused and hurt. The worst thing is that we don’t know where my brother’s bones are or why they were taken. Now it seems he’s not resting in peace because his remains have been disturbed.”
Ngxokolo said Mlungwane lived in Pretoria when he died from an illness. His remains were sent to East London.
“The funeral went well and there was no incidents at all, which is what makes this even more strange.
“We have opened a case with the police and they are investigating but we are not hopeful that the perpetrator will be found because there are no witnesses,” she said.
Police spokesman Captain Mluleki Mbi confirmed that a case of violation of a grave site was being investigated.
“We have no leads as yet,” Mbi said.
When the Dispatch arrived at the scene yesterday, pieces of the marble slab that once covered the grave site lay in pieces next to the headstone.
Pieces of satin, which the family said had once lined the coffin, lay scattered next to an empty rope packet.
Ward 15 ward councillor Dr Dinesh Vallabh said he had never come across an incident like it.
Vallabh pleaded with SAPS to have more visible policing at the graveyard.
“It’s appalling and shocking that people would do this. I have heard that people get mugged at the cemetery but this is just something else,” he said.
Vallabh said he and fellow residents regularly cleaned up at the cemetery.
“We are staging one such clean-up this weekend because we feel that the city doesn’t do enough to care for cemeteries.”
Other family members said they found the news upsetting.
Niece Siphokazi Ngxokolo said the incident had left her feeling despondent.
“I am really heartbroken at this senseless act of vandalism. We don’t know who did this and why but it is so hurtful and wrong,” she said. — zisandan@dispatch.co.za
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