Outcry after vandalism of burial site

THERE has been public outrage after a designated national heritage site at the Mowbray Cemetery was broken into and vandalised by criminals.

- ROBIN-LEE FRANCKE

The Kramat of Sayed Moegsin Bin Alawi was severely vandalised on Tuesday evening.

A kramat, also known as a mazaar, is a shrine or tomb of a revered Muslim holy person, particularly prominent in South Africa. These shrines are places of pilgrimage and respect for Muslim communities, often marking the graves of individuals who played a significant role in the early spread of Islam in the region.

The Moslem Cemetery Board condemned the actions and stated this incident follows another theft where the katal, the bier used for the transportation of deceased persons, was stolen from the same premises just weeks ago.

"The confluence of these incidents reveals an emerging pattern of targeted criminality that strikes at the core of religious reverence, heritage preservation, and communal dignity.

"It must be emphasised that these violations occurred despite the recent implementation of comprehensive and high-level security upgrades across the Mowbray Cemetery precinct," the board said.

CCTV cameras, advanced motion-sensitive alarm systems, and additional burglar bars have not seemed to deter criminals