Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Jacques van Rensburg and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Kabelo Moreeng. See attached pictures here, here, and here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will submit formal motions and questions to the Kopanong Local Municipality to compel the immediate restoration and maintenance of cemeteries in Madikgetla, Trompsburg, and Springfontein. The DA’s action seeks to uphold the dignity of residents and ensure that these sacred spaces of remembrance receive the respect they deserve.
We are deeply appalled by the shocking neglect and dereliction of cemeteries in Madikgetla, Trompsburg, and Springfontein. What should be sacred spaces of remembrance and dignity have been reduced to scenes of abandonment, overgrowth, and disrespect.
During recent oversight visits, DA representatives encountered cemeteries overrun with waist-high weeds, broken fences, vandalised graves, and a complete absence of basic maintenance.
In some instances, gravesites were barely accessible, with pathways obscured and signage missing or damaged. This is not only a gross indignity to the deceased but also a profound insult to grieving families and communities who deserve better.
Cemeteries are not just burial grounds; they are places of heritage, memory, and cultural reverence. The current state of these sites reflects a broader pattern of municipal failure under the leadership of the Kopanong.
The DA has repeatedly raised concerns about the municipality’s inability to deliver even the most basic services, and this latest dereliction is yet another example of its disregard for community dignity and constitutional obligations.
We call on the Kopanong Local Municipality to immediately prioritise the restoration and maintenance of all cemeteries within its jurisdiction.
The DA remains committed to upholding the dignity of all residents, both living and deceased, and will continue to advocate for clean, safe, and respectful public spaces throughout our municipality.