Grave violation sparks fear and devastation to a family in Moteti
MOTETI
A family from Moteti Village in Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality (EMLM) is living in fear, devastation, and anxiety after discovering that someone attempted to dig up the grave of their late brother at Matshelapata Cemetery.
The unusual incident has left the family shaken and worried about their safety, with some members even fearing for their lives.
According to the family, the grave violation occurred on 14 May 2025, and it was only when they received a tip-off that they investigated the matter further.
To their horror, they found evidence that indeed someone had attempted to dig up the grave of their loved one, who was buried on 4 November 2023.
The family said they are still trying to come to terms with the incident and are struggling to understand why someone would resort to such a heinous act.
“We are devastated by this unusual incident, and we fear that the people who attempted to dig the grave are after us and want to kill our family using rituals,” said a family member, who wished to remain anonymous for safety reasons.
The devastated family said they reported the incident to the local traditional authorities, but unfortunately, they were unable to provide any assistance.
“We thought that since it’s a community-related issue, we sent it to the chieftaincy, but they could not help us. We are now living in fear, wondering if one of us will be the next target. We are even afraid to go near the grave,” said the family member.
As the family continues to grapple with the aftermath of this disturbing incident, they are counting on the support and assistance of the community and relevant authorities to help them find justice and peace.
The family is appealing for help and support from the public to ensure their safety and to bring the perpetrators to justice, by calling the police or notify other community members if noticing any suspicious incidents at the Moteti Cemetery in Matshelapata.
“We just want to find peace and closure in the midst of such uncertainty and fear, and help other residents to be aware of such incidents so that we can work towards preventing such heinous acts from occurring,” he said.
