Cemetery vandalism raises hackles

A GROUP of people went on a drinking spree in the old Tsumeb cemetery last week, before going on the rampage and destroying up to 15 tombstones with a combined value of around N$300 000.

Yesterday, Tsumeb Mayor Engel !Nawatiseb described the culprits as criminals who had no place in society and called on residents to stop harbouring them. “We are deeply hurt.We can’t think how a sound-minded person can do such a thing.We put the tombstones up as a sign of last respect to our beloved ones and look what we get from those who do not care,” said Veronica Neidel, a resident of Tsumeb.The tombstone of her son-in-law was among those that were vandalised.She called on the Municipality to build a wall around the old cemetery and to employ a security guard.”We pay N$600 for the graves and we expect the Municipality to assist us,” she said.!Nawatiseb said the graveyard was a “peaceful” and “sacred” place where loved ones were laid to rest.”Vandalising tombstones and having the nerve to party at a cemetery is tearing at the very fabric of the culture and norms of our community, something that cannot be left unchallenged,” he said.He said Tsumeb was fast losing the moral values that held it together in the past.”The sooner we realise, the sooner we can do something about it,” he said.He said the Council has already teamed up with the Police and the local Youth Against Crime organisation to counter the “barbaric acts” of those who not only destroy private property but also attack tourists.”Attacks on tourists and housebreaking are bad vibes,” !Nawatiseb said, adding that the Council has mobilised all resources at its disposal to fight crime.According to the Mayor, Police and Youth Against Crime will be patrolling the streets of Tsumeb and “anyone found drunk on the street and in possession of dangerous weapons, littering or vandalising will be arrested and charged”.”We are geared towards economic development of our town and cannot afford to fall prey to elements of disruption that want to derail our programmes of economic growth and welfare,” !Nawatiseb said.”We are deeply hurt.We can’t think how a sound-minded person can do such a thing.We put the tombstones up as a sign of last respect to our beloved ones and look what we get from those who do not care,” said Veronica Neidel, a resident of Tsumeb.The tombstone of her son-in-law was among those that were vandalised.She called on the Municipality to build a wall around the old cemetery and to employ a security guard.”We pay N$600 for the graves and we expect the Municipality to assist us,” she said.!Nawatiseb said the graveyard was a “peaceful” and “sacred” place where loved ones were laid to rest.”Vandalising tombstones and having the nerve to party at a cemetery is tearing at the very fabric of the culture and norms of our community, something that cannot be left unchallenged,” he said. He said Tsumeb was fast losing the moral values that held it together in the past.”The sooner we realise, the sooner we can do something about it,” he said.He said the Council has already teamed up with the Police and the local Youth Against Crime organisation to counter the “barbaric acts” of those who not only destroy private property but also attack tourists.”Attacks on tourists and housebreaking are bad vibes,” !Nawatiseb said, adding that the Council has mobilised all resources at its disposal to fight crime.According to the Mayor, Police and Youth Against Crime will be patrolling the streets of Tsumeb and “anyone found drunk on the street and in possession of dangerous weapons, littering or vandalising will be arrested and charged”.”We are geared towards economic development of our town and cannot afford to fall prey to elements of disruption that want to derail our programmes of economic growth and welfare,” !Nawatiseb said.