Thieves target Mowbray Cemetery
Image: Screenshot
The theft of a 'katel' - a ceremonial stretcher used during Muslim funeral rites - from Mowbray Cemetery is not an isolated incident and follows other break-ins and thefts.
Chairman of the Muslim Cemetery Board and Secretary of the Burial Administration of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) Faizal Sayed on Friday posted footage of the incident where a man came through the roof to steal the katel.
Sayed said he posted the footage in hopes of tracing the thief.
'The person cut a hole in the ceiling in the courtyard, came through the ceiling, and took many hours to actually slowly lift the thing up, and get it through the ceiling.'
Break-ins and thefts have been reported at Mowbray Cemetery.
Image: Courtney Africa/Independent Newspapers/File
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Sayed explained that the cemetery has experienced a slight increase in such incidents in the last month and a half.
'The katel is an expensive metal piece, so it was clearly stolen for that purpose. In effect, it has upset the Muslim community a lot because it is something that people see their loved ones off for the last time.
'There's a lot of sentimental value to these things, and the community feels it is a disregard and disrespect to take something of that nature,' Sayed said.
Sayed said they have also noted the increased thefts are related to metal.
'The first incident was where they ripped the complete window and window frames off the prayer facility, and they reached their hands in to get a specialised clock.'
The clock is a special electronic device typically only found in mosques, which explains when the daily prayer times are, which change every day.
'The other theft included the theft of the outside air conditioning unit, which is very important because it is attached to a building where bodies are prepared for burial.
'The facility requires proper air conditioning, so if people steal those units, which cost thousands of rands, then it impedes the operations of the cemetery."
On Friday, Chairman of the Muslim Cemetery Board and Secretary of the Burial Administration of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) Faizal Sayed posted footage of the incident where a man came through the roof to steal the katel.
Image: Screenshot
Sayed said these incidents speak to a broader systemic issue of thefts at cemeteries, which are 'currently experiencing an increase in this type of activity where people are taking tombstones and metal items around graves'.
'We need to talk to the systemic values that people are missing within themselves, if you are going so far as desecrating the spaces of the deceased. There is a sanctity involved in all of that which we feel is being disrespected.'
Sayed added that they've continuously increased gates and upgraded security systems, but this did not deter the thieves.
The City, which manages 42 cemeteries, has experienced similar challenges of theft.
The City's Recreation and Parks Department said security guards are stationed at most cemeteries, but because cemeteries are classified as open spaces and must remain accessible to the public, 'the size of these facilities makes it challenging and cost-prohibitive to provide full-time on-site security coverage across all areas'.
'Vandalism and theft are a major challenge affecting many communities throughout the city. When it occurs in community facilities, it attracts anti-social behaviour.
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