07 Jul 2021

Residents of Tonota are still reeling in shock after half of one of their graveyards was gutted by fire. 

The John Phooko graveyard incidents led to 10 pastors from various church denominations gathering at the graveyard for prayer. 

The most affected part of the 10-hectare graveyard was the eastern side with more than 3 000 graves. 

Kgosi Bokamoso Radipitse said the incident left him speechless, adding that this was the first of its kind in the village. 

“I am still very shocked by this incident and I am one of the people who ordered that there be divine intervention,” he added. 

Tonota police’s acting station commander, Assistant Superintendent Karabo Kgaodi, said police investigations were still on going to find cause of the fire.

He explained that the first fire broke out on June 26, whilst the second one was on July 6.

Asst Supt Kgaodi appealed to the residents to help the police with information that could lead to the arrest of any person suspected of setting the two or one of the fires.

He advised that that graveyards should be kept clean at all times and security guards engaged to avoid trespassing, which could result in vandalism of graves and incidences such as the current one. 

Chairperson of the Tonota Ministry’s Fraternity, Pastor Mosetsana Gaonabeng, said they saw it fit to gather at the graveyard to ask for God’s help, saying a graveyard or cemetery, was a holy place and should be protected and respected.

Meanwhile, the area councillor, Mr Andy Boatile said the incident was a wakeup call for the Tonota Sub-district Council to engage Ipelegeng workers to de-bush and cut grass at the graveyard. 

Councillor Boatile also appealed to the residents to individually assist by clearing grass near their loved ones’ graves. 

He said there was also need for security guards, not only at John Phooko graveyard, but at all the graveyards in the village. 

At the time of going to press, some residents were busy trying to identify their love ones’ graves since the fire had destroyed the deceased name placards. 

One of the residents, Ms Boipelo Tswaipe said it took her two days to identify her daughter’s grave. Ends