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The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for a full-scale audit of the funds allegedly spent on the Phuthanang Cemetery in Galeshewe, Kimberley. (download pictures here and here).

While previous media reports have indicated that R1 million was allocated to the Phuthanang Cemetery project, the DA is in possession of information that points to as much as R55 million from the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), having been allocated to the said project.

On top of the astronomical funding, there was also the subsequent appointment of a dubious cemetery manager, who was appointed by controversial Director of Corporate Services and former acting Municipal Manager, Ruth Sebolecwe.

An oversight inspection to the cemetery today (Monday, 12 August 2019) has confirmed that the new burial ground is little more than a bulldozed piece of red sand, despite significant monetary investment into the project.

The DA is deeply concerned about the lack of progress of the decade-old Phuthanang Cemetery.

1. Firstly, we are concerned because millions of rands are believed to have been pumped into this project, yet this money is not reflected in what we see at the cemetery. In fact, the grave-less graveyard, is not even fenced in.

At a recent oversight inspection conducted by councillors and municipal officials, it was stated that the property was enclosed at some point in time but that the devils fork fencing was stolen.

The DA does not accept this excuse - the well-financed cemetery is 10-years in the making.  Surely, with R55 million and plenty of time, security measures could have been implemented? This, in turn, would also have mitigated the risks of animals trampling the future graves, and of illegal shacks being erected on the land in question, as previously raised by Sol Plaatje.

       2. Secondly, we are concerned about the looming burial crisis in and around Kimberley, with literally only a handful of graves still available to bury the dead.

In as far back as 2010, it already came to light that cemeteries were either totally full or nearing their total capacity.

In the same year, it was stated that the Phuthanang Cemetery would be opened by 1 December 2010, alleviating capacity concerns related to local burial grounds. However, it is nine years later and Sol Plaatje is not any closer to opening the graveyard.

The DA is aware that a Community Service Committee meeting is scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday, 13th August 2019) and we anticipate receiving a proposal on the way forward in respect of the project. We are also expecting to receive answers to questions relating to the project, that we previously raised.

Based on the the information that we do (or do not) receive tomorrow, we will further put together a case for the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) to institute an audit into the funds allegedly spent on the Phuthanang Cemetery project.

The DA will not stop asking questions in relation to the Phuthanang Cemetery until we are convinced that all the funds allocated to this project have been accounted for.

We owe it to the dead to ensure that they to have a dignified place of rest, and we owe it to the living to ensure that they are able to bury their loved ones under dignified circumstances.

Issued by The DA