Urgent Media invite to the launch of the report on the challenges and crisis related to the use a re-use of graves in South Africa

The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Rights of Communities (CRL Rights Commission) undertook a study on the use and re-use of graves. This study was initiated after the Commission received a number of complaints from the public, particularly from the eThekwini Metro Municipality area.

The CRL Rights Commission received reports that in some instances, family members were shocked to find that either someone they did not know was buried in the same grave, or someone else’s tombstone was erected on the grave. They also found the grave of their family member half dug up, and on asking what was going on, were told that someone else was going to be buried in that specific grave.

Culturally and religiously, this act of reusing graves haunts people’s belief and cultural systems as many believe that a burial place is not only sacred, but also a place with which one should not tamper. What most people find  disturbing is the fact that their family member would just be put together with someone else whom they do not even know, or for which they have not given consent.

Local government argue that the reality is that open spaces or suitable land where new graves or cemeteries could be erected, is fast becoming depleted. Before a place can be declared a cemetery, there is a number of environmental impact assessment issues which first needs to be considered. The argument is that not all pieces of land are suitable to be declared a grave yard or cemetery. The challenge of competing interests such as land for housing, recreational facilities, etc have to be addressed.

You are invited to this media launch as follows:
Date: 26 May 2015
Time: 11h00 (for 11h30)
Venue: CRL Rights Commission offices as reflected above

Enquiries: "M
piyakhe Mkholo
E-mail: mpiyakhem@crlcommission.org.za
Tel: 011 3589100
Cell: 073 183 1563

Some of the participants at this launch include:

•     National House of Traditional Leaders
•     Department of Traditional Affairs
•     Contralesa
•     Cogta Portfolio Committee
•     SALGA
•     Prof. David Coplan (Wits)
•     Prof. Tinyiko Maluleke (UP)
•     Prof. Pitika Ntuli
•     City of Johannesburg
•     City of Ekurhuleni
•     NICSA
•     Zifo Zonke
•     T.H.O
•     T.H .P
•     NUPAATHPSA
•     GTFMP
•     

Event Category:
Media briefings
Issued by:
Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities
More from:
Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities

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